An Anglo-American Alliance: A Serio-comic Romance and Forecast of the Future

This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.

Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.

Usage guidelines

Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.

We also ask that you:

+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.

+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.

+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.

+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe.

About Google Book Search

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web

at |http : //books . google . com/

,\9tfl

LIBRARY

OF THE

University of California.

CMz

an HnalooBmerican HUiance

An

AnslO'American
Alliance

A SeriO'Comic Romance

and

Forecast of the Future

BY

GREGORY CASPARIAN

Illustrated and Published by
the Author

^^^.^'biraW^S^

UNiVERorrv \

OF

siL'^ 1- ' F C; p. H ^ Kjfttyflower Presses

loral Park, New Tork
Z906

'. /^

1" I

Copyrififlited, 1906,

by

0R900RT CASPARIAK

Ail Rights Reserved

ZaUc of <Content0

CHAPTER

PAGE

Foreword . - - - i

irii-ix

I

The Young Ladies' Seminary

II

II

The Initiation - - - -

20

III

The Moonlight Soiree -

28

IV

Historical Events of the 20th Century

38

V

The Fistic Duel - . - .

^S

VI

Historical Events of the 20th Century

(Concluded) - - - -

71

VII

The Regatta - - . . -

88

VIII

Dr. Hyder Ben Raaba.-

96

IX

A Ray of Hope - - - .

103

X

The Transformation - - .

no

XI

Lord Cunningham, Viceroy of India

116

XII

Adventures of Abou Shimshek, the

Astronomer of Ispahan

120

XIII

Spencer Hamilton - . -

136

Postscript . - - .

143

or THE

UNIVERSITY

OF

Jotewotb

IN presenting this volume to the public it is not
the intention of the author to offer it as a liter-
ary masterpiece, but, in his adopted language — con-
scious of his limitation — merely to give expression
to his thoughts on certain problems of life that have
always seemed to him of particular significance.

At present there appears to be a general bombas-
tic clamor among certaiji nations who, decrying
others as barbarous, claim to have reached the high-
est pinnacle of civilization. Yet a glance at the ex-
isting conditions in those self-lauded governments
will reveal rampant corruption among their leaders
who, for their own selfish ends, retard legislations
which are absolutely imperative for the general wel-
fare. It is not necessary to mention other ways in
which the people are being daily betrayed, for this is
sufficient to render any thinking person despondent
and pessimistic.

The causes of the decadence of nations are not
the laws which have been enacted, but the flagrant
violation of these very laws, actuated by greed, avarice
and commercialism which are generated in the in-
dividual in power. The only remedy for this state
is either a leader of intrepid courage or the awaken-

vii

viii FOREWORD

ing of the people themselves and their demanding
reforms by public mandate.

The true meaning of civilization is Universal
Brotherhood, and in this sense, the leading lights
in every stratum of life, whether in Government or in
Commerce, in Religion or in Science, stand arraign-
ed and indicted before the tribunal of conscience for
retarding this laudable spirit of Brotherhood.

Why do not Captains of Industry and Commerce,
instead of throttlmg each other, by a unanimous
effort, promulgate laws on a reciprocal basis among
themselves ?

Why do not Scientists, instead of confining their
efforts to individual endeavors, combine their forces
so as to enhance the chance of accomplishing great-
er results in research and exploration?

Why do not Spiritual Shepards, instead of preach-
ing intolerance and fanaticism, bring their flocks to
gether in harmony? An Oriental scholar in the
Congress of Religions, at the Columbian Fair, de-
clared that *'the flocks are willing to pasture to-
gether, but it is the shepards who are keeping them
apart. "

And in fine, why do not the Nations, each claim-
ing the highest forms of civilization, instead of dis-
seminating national, sectional and race hatred, form
an alliance, which will advance the cause of Univer-
sal Brotherhood, and brighten the hope of bringing
enduring peace to the world at large ?

In this golden era, with its vast numbers of diplo-
mats, statemen, theologians, scientists, and its count-
less fraternal organizations, — each preaching, frater-
nity, love and charity, — what evil spirit or genii
prevents them from forming a union between two of

FOREWORD ix

the foremost and best forms of Governments, —
America and Britain — perfect types in their entity,
having similar laws, language and aspirations ?

Who will be the Savior, through whose agency
this happy cross fertilization, inoculation or union
shall be achieved ? It was the above thoughts, and
the idea of an alliance between COLUMBIA and
BRITANNIA, that suggested in all seriousness the
following frivolously allegorical narrative, — a pot-
pourri of weird fancy, satire and imagination, a
mosaic of the sublime and the ridiculous, on themes
worthy of a master.

Yet if some reader should find, even in this fantas-
tic guise, an occasional thought worthy of arousing
him to nobler efforts, the author will consider him-
self well rewarded.

In regard to his prophecies for the future, he is
willing to be called a consummate prevaricator
should his desire for the betterment of mankind or
the unity of nations take place much sooner than he
has predicted, or the calamities fail to materialize or
prove to be much lighter than he has foreseen.

G. C.

Floral Park, N. K

CHAPTER I

The Young Ladies^ Seminary

IT is i960, Anno Domini. The Earth, not-
withstanding many dire predictions of char-
latans and religious fanatics, and in spite of
numerous cataclysms, conflagrations and polit-
ical upheavals, was rotating serenely on its axis.

The Diana Young Ladies' Seminary, situa-
ted upon the picturesque hills of Cornwall on
the Hudson, is a few miles north of the West
Point Military Academy. The seminary build-
ings, having formerly been the palatial home-
stead of a multi-millionaire, about half a cen-
tury previously had been bequeathed to the
State of New York, with ample endowments
for its maintenance end development. It had
long since become one of the finest institutions .
of learning of its kind, not only of America,
but of the whole civilized world.

The donor of this magnificent seat of knowl-

J2 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

edge for young ladies was a man of " polarity,"
of positive and negative action and reaction.
He was in fact a typical incarnation and em-
bodiment of a dualism, immortalized by the
fertile fancy of Robert Louis Stevenson, in his
story of " Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." While
on the one hand he had an apparently irresist-
ible and monomaniacal cunning in robbing
his fellow men by monopolizing all the neces-
sities of life, crushing with hellish unscrupu-
lousness all competition in every channel of
industry, and strewing his wake with industri-
al wrecks, — on the other hand he busied him-
self with the erection of hospitals and churches,
and in endowing colleges with a princely lib-
erality, commensurate to his other nature.

Emerson, the philosopher, says " The whole
universe is so, and so every one of its parts,"
that "an inevitable dualism bisects nature,"
each thing being a half and suggesting its
complement. As the mammoth Califomian
redwood tree, which with its towering height
looks overpoweringly stupendous when com-
pared with the tiny otaheite orange or dwarf
Japanese plant, so was the difference in power
of acquisitiveness and possibilities of dispensa-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 13

tion between this colossus compared with ordi-
nary mortals.

The real motive of his charity could not be
divined; whether it was because, pricked by a
guilty conscience, he used this means as a pal-
liative for his sins, or whether he was entirely
oblivious of wrong-doing and was prompted
only by a frank desire for doing good, was
never determined. But at any rate after his
death it was found that he had donated his
palaces, with munificent endowment funds, to
establish this educational institution for fe-
males. Moreover, it is not my intention to
write a biography of this dual monster of
money-maniac and philanthropist, for his deeds
are written on the graves and sorrowing hearts
of his victims, as well as in the grateful re-
membrance and esteem of his beneficiaries.

Besides, we are told that God works good
even through the agency of the devil, and if
he really had been a satellite of Satan, the
great usefulness and wide influence for good of
the Seminary demonstrated the veracity of the
above statement.

The Diana Seminary had proven its right to
its high place in the public esteem. Its fame

14 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

had reached every comer of the earth. Young
women, not only from America but from every
clime and nation, flocked thither seeking to
perfect themselves in such branches of educa-
tion as are the necessary requirements of the
fair sex to fit them to reign supreme in any
capacity, from teaching in a country school to
presiding on regal thrones and guiding the des-
tinies of Nations.

The Diana Seminary had become particular-
ly famous for the especial branches of a curri-
culum which rendered the young ladies mag-
nificently lovely in form, chic in habilaments,
brilliant and vivacious in conversation, serene
and dignified in carriage, sweet and optimistic
in nature, pure in sentiments, and in addition
conferred upon them all the necessary qualifi-
cations of accomplished housewives, virtues all
of which are inherent in American women and
susceptible of highest development.

The graduates of this Seminary were always
eagerly sought in marriage, not only by the de-
serving young men living near the college, but
also by the nobility and even the royalty of
Europe. The demands of the latter class were
indeed so great as to alarm the fond parents

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE ij

across the ocean for the future happiness of
their daughters, and they were thus compelled
to send their beloved ones to this Institution in
order to acquire that polish which their Amer-
ican sisters had proven so desirable.

Amongst the many English maidens who
were there matriculated was beautiful Aurora
Cunningham, the only daughter of the Secre-
tary of Foreign affairs of Great Britain.

It is unnecessary to dwell upon the beauty
and charms of Aurora. It is true that she
could not be compared with the Goddesses of
ancient Greece, nor did she resemble the be-
witching sylvan nymphs depicted by the brush
and pen of masters of art. She was a mortal;
suffice it to say, that she was a graceful girl of
exquisitely moulded form, of medium height,
with luxuriant golden tresses, which, shimmer-
ing in the sunlight, justified her baptismal
name. Her large, dreamy blue eyes mirrored
the purity of her soul, and the dimples on her
cheeks were so deep and alluring that all who
looked upon them felt their compelling charm.

She was, in a word, a typical English maid-
en. Highly accomplished, and though dainty
in demeanor, nevertheless she was not one of

i6 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

those frail, ailing butterflies who exist and
thrive only in artificial atmosphere. Having
been reared with greatest care, by means of a
complete course of calisthenics and out-of-door
sports, with all her refined mien she was a
hardy and healthy specimen of feminine beauty
as well as a leader in all the strenuous pastimes
of the Diana Seminary.

She was called the " sunshine " of the Sem-
inary, and none other merited the appellation
so well. Consequently she was idolized by the
rest of the students and was much sought after
by the gallant young men in the vicinity. Af-
ter the manner of girl students who are given
to violent friendships, Aurora was devoted to
her room-mate in the person of a charming
American girl named Margaret MacDonald,
the daughter of a Western Senator.

Margaret was entirely the opposite of Aurora,
— ^her very antithesis. She was somewhat tall-
er, with sparkling black eyes and raven hair, of
imposing dignity and carriage, but withal the
equal of Aurora in the matter of natural gifts
and accomplishments. She had, moreover, a
captivating frivolity and aggressiveness which
almost bordered on masculinity.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 17

Perhaps it was this complete diversity of
temperament and of type that engendered an
intense affinity between the girls. For al-
though diametrically differing even in their
exposition of ideas, they were drawn to each
other with a mysterious sympathy which at-
tracted the attention of outsiders and furnished
ample excuse for comment. Directly after
their first meeting they had become insepara-
ble companions and confidants.

As the time passed this strange attachment
grew so marked and its manifestations so
alarmingly flagrant that they themselves be-
came aware of its dangerous consequences,
They realized that if they gave free license to
indiscreet emotional demonstrations in the
class room or in public, not only would their
actions not be tolerated by the College faculty
and cause their expulsion from the Seminary,
but they would also be subjected to unendura-
ble ostracism by the rest of the students. But
still worse was the confronting fact that they
would undoubtedly become the topic of un-
pleasant notoriety through the publicity given
by the sensational press. They had therefore
the good judgment to pledge themselves to

i8 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

control their emotions in the presence of the
class, and to exercise wide-awake circumspec-
tion in their behavior in public and towards
the opposite sex.

It is needless to say that by the happy fac-
ulty of diplomacy, inherent in them, they suc-
ceeded with consummate delicacy and skill in
maintaining their natural poise and normal at-
titude throughout the seminary course.

Like the magnetic pole the Diana Seminary
had become the center of attraction for the ad-
jacent youths, especially the Academy boys,
who on all gala occasions were welcome guests
at the Seminary.

The experiment of co-education had long
since been proven a failure. By the well
known law of electricity, that bodies similarly
electrified repel each other, and bodies oppo-
sitely electrified attract, it seems that the con-
stant familiarity and co-mingling of the two
sexes in co-educational institutions at the ro-
mantic age of puberty had a somewhat similar
effect and breeded contempt, blunting that keen
fondness for each other which seems natural,
and so was not surprising that in such institu-
tions both sexes, when leaving college, separat-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE ig

€d more like enemies than friends and lovers.

The isolation of the sexes naturally created
an intensity of afiection and a desire for asso-
ciation, and when the two periodically came
in contact caused that rapturous thrill of hearts
and nascent unification of souls. This un-
doubtedly was the plausible explanation, at
least one of the reasons, why the Seminary
^rls were always in demand and were partici-
pants of so many happy unions.

The only exception to the rule were Aurora
and Margaret who, although in every way
agreeable to the aspirants for their hearts and
hands, refrained from making an alliance
throughout their college course. It was pite-
ously amusing, however, to see those gallant
swains from the Academy heading for the Sem-
inary whenever opportunity presented. Their
liearts were filled with intense ardor and their
lips and pubescent moustaches were pregnant
with the microbes of Eros, — in a high state of
fermentation — blurting out with tense anxiety
the momentous query, " Wilt thou be mine?"
to Aurora or Margaret, only to return van-
quished by the cold decisive negative.

CHAPTER n

The Imtfation

THERE was no cause for ennui at the Di-
ana Seminary. Notwithstanding the
serious course of study, there was ample jollity.
The tedium of their leisure hours was beguiled
with all kinds of recreations according to the
seasons of the year.

There were the various Seminary teams in
basket ball, fencing, golfing, calisthenics and
amateur theatricals. The girls also indulged
in excursions to the exhibitions of the Acade-
my boys, on their gala days of mimic warfare
in the campus, as well as to their contests on
the diamond or gridiron at foot ball. This lat-
ter sport having reached in those days the top
notch of perfection, it furnished the fair spec-
tators thrills of excitement when the contest-
ants in their improved steel helmets and cuirass,
with pronged leggings and spiked shoes looked
like veritable knights of the chivalric ages. It

A *' Full-Back »» in i960

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 2t

gave an additional source of lingering pleasure
and admiration at such contests when half a
dozen ambulances were required to cart away
the gladiators in hors du combat.

Besides all the above recreations, the Sem-
inary girls had also their various secret organ-
izations which furnished ample work for wint;pr
months. One of the most notable of these fra-
ternities was called the D. N. A/, signifying
" Daughters of the New Alliance."

A brief description of the sacred rites of this
unique fraternity, on an interesting initiation,
may not here be amiss. It took place during
the incumbency of the two principal organiz-
ers and charter members — Aurora and Margar-
et, — the latter occupying at the time the most
exalted position of Reverend High Priestess
and the former that of Supreme Guide. The
initiation in question was remarkable for the
singular coincidence that the applicants for
membership were discovered to be of half a
dozen nationalities — French, German, Scotch,
Irish, Italian and Hebrew, — and this unusual
circumstance lent the occasion widespread sen-
sation among the other members and made the
session most memorable.

S2 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

A peep in the temple revealed a bewildering
spectacle, an " Adamless Eden " of loveliness
as it were. Margaret MacDonald, enveloped
in gorgeously embroidered Grecian robes, en-
throned on an elevated dais, a golden sceptre
in hand, and a brilliant diadem on her shapely
head, presented an imposing figure as High
Priestess, while Aurora in a tight fitting cuirass
of variegated spangles, holding a trident, per-
formed her official duties. Other functionaries
attired in chaste Grecian costumes occupied
their respective positions.

In the proscenium the applicants, attired in
their respective national costumes, followed the
assistant guide to the gate of the temple when,
on pressing a button, an extremely melodious
chant surged through the atmosphere. This
called the attention of the Supreme Guide to the
fact that there were applicants for membership.
The Supreme Guide in the same manner then
made the announcement to the high priestess,
and the latter commanded them to be admitted
to the temple. At the clanking of the cymbals
and the sounding of the fanfares as if by magic
the gate was ajar, revealing to the eyes of
the new disciples a dazzling scene of harmoni-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 23

ously blended loveliness. They filed in and
arranged themselves in the shape of a crescent
at the lower end of the temple.

In the centre of the room, on an alabaster
table, they could discern a glass receptacle in
which, squirming and wriggling, were a quan-
tity of angle worms; on another similar table
close by they could see a golden cage, wherein
half a dozen tiny rodents were playing tag. In
one comer a fierce, pugnacious billy-goat was
butting with vicious vigor against one of the
Grecian columns of the temple.

When the sound of the fanfares subsided the
High Priestess, rising suddenly and striking
three times on the marble floor with her magic
sceptre, commanded silence, and in a sweet
voice spoke thus:

" Supreme Guide of the order of D. N. A.
what bringest thou to this sanctuary ?"

The guide answered in pathetic tones: "Thou
High Priestess of the order of D. N. A., I bring
thee greeting. I bring thee also jewels rare,
for thy shrine; gems, not still life or crystals
petrified, but forms divine, animate with heav-
ing breasts, with radiant brows, and sparkling
eyes that volumes speak, that even Cupid,

24 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

dazed, would soon forget his ancient Psyche
fair, and yet unable be whom amongst these
for himself to take."

" Have they signified their willingness to be
tested for courage and fortitude?"

" They have."

" A^e they ready to travel through the tor-
tuous path of the inquisition ?"

" They are."

"Then prithee, take them to the ante-cham-
ber that their eyes may be blindfolded and the
robes of chastity may be thrown over them.
Then bring them thither through the tortuous
path of the inquisition to my presence."

Accordingly they were taken to the ante-
room aiid while being prepared for the jour-
ney they were given plain intimation that they
were to make a repast of the angle worms and
fondly handle the young rodents, while direct
hints of riding the bellicose goat were thrown
out, as though this were the least of the test to
which they were to be subjected.

Preparation for their return to the Temple
being completed, their readiness was again
communicated as before and to the solemn but
inspiring Andante of Faust they began to wind

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 2S

through a path of serpentine evolutions. On
their journey many strange and threatening
voices came to their ears, some cursing their
undertaking and advising them to return be-
fore too late, some whispering that they were
about to step into an abyss or to encounter dire
disaster. But by the guidance and occasional
prod by the trident of timid and erratic disci-
ples they proceeded onward with cautious
. steps. When almost at the end of their jour-
ney, however, there was a sharp cry from one
of the applicants which caused the procession
to halt

Lady Rosa Redmont Davitt, the daughter of
an Irish noble, — ^a comely girl, with laughing
eyes, full of wit and humor and with a strong
combative instinct, -vidthal very popular at the
.seminary — gave vent to her distress in a
piquant but pleasing accent :

" Ouch ! Your Riverence," said she, " It is
not that I moind to ride the wild billy goat, or
am afraid to swallow the serpints, but divil a
bit I can shtand this pinching of my goide,
your Riverince ; my back is almost bhlack and
thlue."

" It is well that thou hast spoken," said the

26 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

Priestess; " it was because of thy untractable
erratic steps and non-susceptibility to the
promptings of thy guide that thou hast suf-
fered, for according to the ratio of the loyalty
and sensitiveness to her touch, thy sufferings
will come to an end. Follow thou, then, fair
maid, with keen perception to the subtle touch
of thy guide. Supreme Guide of the order of
D. N. A. let the procession proceed."

The march having been resumed and fin-
ished, they stood thus blindfolded before the
High Priestess in order to be tested for courage
and fortitude. Each applicant was led by the
guide before her, who, for fortitude, adminis-
tered the angle worm, and for courage trailed
the mouse over their limbs. It is perhaps un-
necessary to mention that macaroni was sub-
stituted for the angle worm and that an arti-
ficial mouse served as a lively rodent.

When these sacred and solemn rites were
performed the applicants were taken through
numerous evolutions of a march to the centre
of the room, in front of a table, whereon rested
in the folds of American and British colors the
Constitution and By-laws of the Order. There
the oath of Allegiance was administered and.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 27

at a thunderous outburst of music, the bandages
were cut asunder and the applicants found
themselves in the glow of a diflfused light.
Standing in the middle of the room, surround-
ed by rows of graceful girls arrayed in immac-
ulate Grecian costumes, were all the other
members of the Order. While the High Priest-
ess, majestically waving her sceptred arm,
proclaimed them tried and true members of
D. N. A.

The ceremonies were concluded by the
singing of the National Anthems.

CHAPTER in

The Moonlight Soifee

MARGARET was reclining on a divan in
her luxurious study, perusing a letter.
The room was redolent with the perfume of
June roses, and the warm rays of the afternoon
sun, filtering through the stained glass windows
— now and then obscured by the swaying leaves
and branches of the trees — ^were flitting across
her lovely form as if playing hide and seek.

Suddenly the door burst open and Aurora,
somewhat flushed, holding in her hand a note,
entered the room, exclaiming excitedly :

" Horrible ! Margie, horrible ! I do not
know what to do ! It will be extremely
h'embawassing aw, don't you know."

" What is it Aurora, is that Jewsky after you
again?"* asked Margaret with a rougish
smile, glancing toward her chum.

♦ The slang In vogue half a century ago may be found now in
standard dictionaries. Its use was considered in good form by
the elite of that day.

48

*I8 the Jewski After Voti Affain?'

y

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 2g

" I do not think he is a 'Ebrew, my dear,
his signature aw, is some foreign sounding
name. Carlos Do-Do-Do-Don Seville."

" Well, I don't care what he is. The dodo
is an extinct bird you know. He looks like a
Jewsky anyway. The idea, pray what has he
to say ? " questioned Margaret, contracting her
eyebrows to a frown.

" He writes that he will grace aw, our moon-
light reception with 'is presence. Horrid,
Margie, horrid ! I hate him ! "

" Fiddlesticks ! Rats ! " retorted Margaret.
" It is up to us then. If he bobs up tomorrow
night at the show, there will be something
doing. That Dago is positively the limit He
is perfectly horrid. If I see him ogling me
once that night, I'll ' cut the chains of my
tongue loose ' at him, the wretch ! "

" Aw, really, how brave you are Margie ! "
replied Aurora, looking admiringly at her
classmate. " You will not desert me ? By the
way," went on Aurora, gradually recovering
her composure, *'I just met Norma South-
worth coming from the modiste with her grad-
uation gown. It was such a bonnie gown, aw,
so lurid and so sweet, don't you know."

30 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

" I bet you hers won't cut any ice with my
togs, when they arrive tomorrow. Aurora, you
and I will make a jim-dandy pair on gradua-
tion day. I am curious, however, to get a
glimpse of her dream of a go^n, but before we
start, my dear, let us once more go over the
details of tomorrow night's event."

" It makes me somewhat nervous to think
about it. I wish truly it was all h'over,
Margie."

" So do I, Aurora, I am afraid we'll make
a beastly flunk at the show, aren't you ? "

"Bah Jove, it will be awfully dweddful,
Margie, to make a failure, after so many
months of preparation. I hope we will come
h'out all right," said Aurora with thoughtful
anxiety.

After they finished their examination of the
program, both started out to inspect Norma's
gown, intending from thence to go to the final
rehearsal. While crossing the Grand Court of
the Seminary they spied Professor Cielo Allen-
son coming toward them on his motor-cycle.

" There comes the dear " Old Guard " said
Aurora. " Isn't 'e a dear, aw, isn't 'e sweet? "

" To be sure Aurora, I am head over heels

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 31

in love with his lilacs ; aren't they elegant ? "
was the ready rejoinder of Margaret

" Eh, what ! aw, really, 'ow often must I
caution you not to use such h'expressions,"
said Aurora, reproachfully. " 'E may 'ear you,
Margie, 'e may 'ear you."

"There, ring oflF, sweet child, you better
pick up your * h's ' and get a gait on, or else
we'll be late for practice," laughed Margaret

".Oh, how do you do ? " piped both girls.

The professor, slackening his pace, greeted
them courteously: "I presume you ladies
are well prepared for the ordeal of tomorrow
night?"

" Quite so, Professor ; we are looking for-
ward with extreme pleasure to meeting our
gallant adversaries under your charge," ans-
wered Margaret.

" H'in fact, we are now going to our final
rehearsal," added Aurora.

" Well, I wish you success, ladies ; I must
be oflE myself, to give the boys at the Academy
my last instructions ; so goodby."

"Good afternoon, Professor; goodby."

* * ♦ *

Thfe June graduation day of i960 at the

.?j AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

Seminary was not far distant, falling on the
second week of the month. The recitations
had been discontinued and the only sessions
that were held by the professors were chiefly
for purposes of review.

The students meanwhile beguiled their time
by indulging in frequent class receptions,
which were given by the various grades and
societies, each vieing with others to excel all
previous functions in originality, splendor and
novelty. That to be given by the senior class,
to which Aurora and Margaret belonged, was
near at hand. Long before the date agreed
upon, the senior class had agreed to make it an
out-of-door affair eclipsing all previous efforts
in brilliancy of conception and prodigality of
arrangements.

It was to be a *' Soiree Artistique ! " a Tab-
leau Vivant Extravaganza ! followed by a
moonlight dance and reception. Their guests
of honor were to be no less than embryo gen-
erals from the West Point Military Academy !
Truly it was a magnificent .conception and it was
chiefly due to the indefatigable efforts of Aurora
and Margaret that it culminated in a stupen-
dous success with the night of the open air F^te.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 33

The spacious, velvety lawn was profusely
and fittingly decorated. From column to col-
umn festoons of June roses and evergreens
crossed and entwined in bewildering array.
The colossal statue of Diana with her hounds
— ^the patron Saint of the Seminary — and the
alternate gold and silver peristyles leading to
the wondrously designed parterre, were envel-
oped in a mass of phosphorescent glow from
the radium globules.

The statuettes and fountains were bejewelled
by innumerable actinium bulbs. Ensconced
in the branches of the trees and bushes the
electrical nightingales gave forth their contin-
uous warbles of subdued sweetness, while from
poles especially erected for the occasion electric
globes in kaleidoscopic hues diffused the am-
bient atmosphere with their spirituelle glow.
The moon, like an overseer, hung high in the
canopy of space, casting its silvery light over
the radiant scene.

The graceful figures of the maidens in their
fantastic winged costumes of Celestial Ama-
zons, and the grotesque forms of the boys, at-
tired in Indian outfits, glittering with beads
and feathers — " chaperoned " by the venerable

34 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

Professor Cielo AUenson— each tribe in turn
illustrating their weird national customs, in
war or peace, in mirth or sorrow, filled the se-
lect spectators with throes of thrilling excite-
ment What hitherto had seemed only ordi-
nary, mundane surroundings was changed into
a realistic happy-hunting-ground or savage
fairyland, a vision of alternate celestial or bar-
baric splendor, the grandeur of which is be-
yond the power of human ability to describe.

The secret of unparalleled excellence of the
disguises of the boys was due to the fact that
at the end of the Freshmen year at the Mili-
tary Academy, when they were preparing for
the celebration of their academic year, the
Sophomores had kidnapped the whole Fresh-
men Class, and by a pre-arranged plan, experts
having been hired, had tatooed them all over
their faces as Indians on the warpath, thus
leaving a lasting souvenir of class antagonism !
Being disfigured for life, they had made the
best of their misfortune by appearing in the
role of Indian warriors, delighted that for once
this misfortune had proven an advantage.

There was nothing to mar this auspicious oc-
casion except that, near its close, a trivial wordy

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE S3

•demonstration took place between Professor
Cielo Allenson and an intruder named Carlos
Don Seville.

Still, even the most pleasant and successful
events have their aftermath and this aflEair left
several of them. When Aurora and Margaret
entered their rooms heaped with triumphant
compliments for their consummate skill in
planning this grand farewell f^te they were
5ad, sad through an impulsive intuition.

Hardly had they crossed the threshold of
their room when they fell into each other's
arms, sobbing bitterly from the bottom of their
hearts. Each instinctively knew why the
other wept. The final class reception had a
deep significance to them, as it meant that
graduation day was near at hand. In the nat-
ural course of events each would now go her
way to a distant home. It meant separation !

Separation! It was impossible for them
calmly to accept the full significance of that
word in their infatuation for each other. Some
time elapsed before either gained sufficient
composure to speak. Each attempt resulted
in a collapse and a paroxysm of hysterical
weeping.

36 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

Margaret, as if dazed with the frenzy of that
strange passion, clung to Aurora, exclaiming^
hysterically : " How can it be, Aurora ? It
cannot be. It cannot be ! Better death than
separation ! "

By the gentle, soothing words of Aurora,
however, they gradually recovered their com-
posure, but were not fully pacified until that
very night they made a solemn compact, bound
by an inviolable oath, not to make any alli-
ance with any suitor whatever and to remain
united to each other in souls until death should
them part.

It was that night also that in the height of
their fatuous ardor of love Aurora wrote an
impromptu poem of fealty, entitled " Wilt
Thou Remember Thy Vow?" It revealed the
intensity of their emotions, their utter subju-
gation and mutual abandonment of will and
desire each to the other and its dire revenge
in the end, if their solemn vow was betrayed.

Like the poem, the music which was com-
posed by Margaret, was also an inspiration.
It interpreted the poem in a sad, sublimely
pathetic strain, yet at times in bold and threat-
ening torrents of color and passion. The very

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE jf

spirit of the words and the oath, that would be
their guiding star throughout their lives, surged
through it In all respects it was a master-
piece of symphonic creation.

CHAPTER IV
Historical Events of the 20th Century

THE senior class of the Diana Seminary
were assembled in the auditorium, listen-
ing in a trance of respectful attention to Pro-
fessor Cielo AUenson. He had just begun his
review of the historical events of the 20th Cen-^
tury, now and then giving his individual com-
ments upon the subjects presented.

1900

An Era of False Prosperity

With the beginning of the 20th Century
was inaugurated an era of false prosperity.
The Census Bureau at that time furnishes
statistics and comments upon the wonderfully
perceptible decrease of the criminal classes,
called foot-pads, sneak thieves and highway-
men, which was attributed chiefly to the ex-
isting national prosperity. It overlooks the
fact, however, that a new species of miscreants,
38

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE S9

comparatively more dangerous, had begun to
thrive like mushrooms in prolific numbers, —
that of so-called commercial brigands or Anan-
cial buccaneers who, under fascinating and at-
tractive names, such as mining syndicates with
their fabulous deposits of gold, offering buck-
etf uls of shares for a dime ; banking and build-
ing loan associations, with palatial homes
thrown in gratis to every subscriber ; promot-
ers of illusionary inventions, seeking share-
holders, which would make them millionaires
in the twinkling of an eye.

Alchemists who, with their artful empyrics
of legerdemain, transmuted base metals into
gold, and were willing to dispose of their
precious wares for pennies ; Wall Street and
race-track spiders posing as benevolent phil-
anthropists, scattering fortunes right and left
to every applicant, sapped the avaricious,
sottish public of its dearly bought earnings.
Strange to say, despite many colossal expos-
ures and failures, as these adroit swindlers
grew more subtle and audacious, the more
the gambling-crazed public rushed to their
destruction.

The effect was appalling. In consequence

40 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

of the depredations of these pirates of indus-
tries, the reputable business and financial firms
were the greatest sufferers. Their legitimate
transactions were paralyzed to such a tremen-
dous degree that they were compelled to de-
vise ways and means to counteract its evils.
In 1908, after mature deliberation at a general
convention in Washington, it was decided to
raise ample funds and create a bureau under
the auspices of the Federal Government called
the Bureau of Frauds and Swindles. The
duties imposed upon its oflBcers were the fer-
reting out and prosecuting of the wild-cat
schemes and to warn the public against them.
The measure, being approved by the Nation-
al Government, had the desired effect of free-
ing to a great degree the financial world from
its parasites of industrial malefactors, and to
some extent established again the stability and
integrity of honorable financiers, in the mean-
while safeguarding foolish persons from being
fleeced out of their savings.

1902

The Cataclysm at Martinique

St. Pierre, Martinique, was destroyed by a
volcanic eruption of Mount Pele6, on the

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 41

eighth day of May. In a few minutes more
than thirty thousand human beings were
hurled into eternity.

1908

The Mormon Question

The anti-plural wives laws were enforced to
the letter. Its emphatic application to all mem-
bers of the sect was brought about principally by
the Women's Clubs, whose persistent and over-
whelming aggressiveness played an important
factor in the stamping out of this demoralizing
and materialistic religion. In this era of civ-
ilization the existence of a religious organiza-
tion of this character, like a cancerous growth,
was threatening to debase womanhood and
lead the communities to unbridled licentious-
ness.

1909

Capital and Labor

Every new movement, be it religious, polit-
ical or economic, has its birth like a volcano,
and unionism was no exception to this rule.
The labor unions at first had their violent agi-
tators who, possessing greater physical than
mental calibre, laid the crude foundation of a

42 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

force in an arbitrary manner that consequentljr
had its gradual evolution of development.

Their constant conflicts with capital were
characterized by an unreasonable amount of
physical argument which resulted in more or
less disastrous denouements, but these very acts
of lawlessness and disturbances awakened -a
third party, the consumers in general, wha
were equally affected by the disturbances be-
tween capital and labor and brought about a
realization of the true relative positions.

Labor certainly has its unalienable rights
and was entitled to due consideration and jus-
tice. However, like the negative and positive
poles of electricity, which are both essential in
order that a circuit of effective force be gener-
ated, capital and labor likewise had their dual
relative values of importance, without which
there could be no constancy of harmonious
production.

By the gradual awakening of both capital
and labor to their true limitations, the ques-
tions involved began to assume a more intelli-
gent basis under the codes of arbitration. At
the same time the violent agitators of labor
were succeeded in the trend of this onward

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 43

-development by more intelligent organizers.
These latter were merged into accomplished,
rational leaders and, through the efficient
medium of the ballot box, into national repre-
sentatives. Consequently, the more dignified,
orderly and responsible labor became, the more
the workers became entitled to the benefits of
their labor.

A Department of Capital and Labor which,
so far, had been merely probationary now be-
came a permanent institution at the Capitol
and in every State of the Union as well.

1910

The Expense of Living

It is one of the strangest inconsistencies of
social problems, that although political econ-
omists and scholars have preached the doctrine,
that inventions and improved methods in me-
chanical lines contribute to the blessings of
mankind by cheapening the necessities of life,
yet in spite of their plausible declarations, the
cost of living year by year grew higher and
higher, entailing untold sujBFering and despair
among the poorer classes.

The cause of this lamentable perversion was

44 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

due to a certain clique of unscruptilous progeny
of Mammon, called trusts and corporations,
who, being blinded with an insatiable desire
for pelf and lust, and stupefied with a frenzied
avarice, monopolized all the necessities of life.
The vast occidental domain of our country
was of unlimited resources and was capable of
producing in abundance the products which
they " cornered." The modus operandi di their
rapacious operations were manifold. They
limited the output of Nature's bounty in order
to keep them at prohibitive values, and at the
same time deprived hosts of sons of toil of
earning their livelihood. They kept at their
inoperative mercy — ^by their abominable tac-
tics of purchase — the producer from receiving
his just share, and they also mulcted the help-
less consumer by the unlimited inflation of
their capital stock and fictitious expenses un-
til at length the burden of their avarice be-
came unendurable.

Although attempts have repeatedly been
made by sincere executives of the Nation, by
the advocation of measures for curbing the
rapacity of these trusts, their endeavors met
with failure on account of the vag^e and flex-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 4S

ible laws already in existence, and by the ar-
ray of sycophantic traitors in high circles who
prevented any legislation which was conducive
to the tranquility and welfare of the masses.
At last, only after a series of sanguinary dem-
onstrations by the people which almost endan-
gered the stability of the republic, they were
compelled to yield.

By the passage of clearly defined laws the
career of their nefarious system of spoliation
was brought to an end. One of the most effi-
cacious laws passed was the creation of a body
of competent men of supreme power who
appraised approximately the capitalization of
these concerns and licensed them as such un-
der oath. The States in the meantime as-
sumed the power of fixing a maximum value
for which their commodities might be placed
on the market. By the above legislations the
inflation of their capital and extortion from
the consumer were made securely impossible.

19U

Death of an Eminent Scholar

Professor Henry Richfield, a profound schol-
ar, and the author of " How to Get Rich " — a

46 ' A.V ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

ponderous work in twelve octavo volumes —
passed away in an attic, in abject penury and
squalor.

1912

The Annihilation of Mosquitoes

Although the mortality statistics in the
United States for last year reached the round
number of two million persons from various
diseases, among them chiefly from consump-
tion, pneumonia, typhoid fever and epidemics
of smallpox and diphtheria, a few sporadic
cases of death were recorded resulting from
mosquito bites, which gave grave concern to
the medical fraternity.

The outcome of this alarm was the calling
of a general conference of bacteriological ex-
perts. The mosquito, • that had hitherto en-
joyed unbridled freedom since the creation of
his race, was now looked upon as the arch
enemy of mankind. A noted philanthropist,
interested in oil wells and having on hand a
great bulk of unmarketable crude petroleum,
donated a large sum for research in order to
discover ways and means of curbing the rav-
ages of these nefarious pests which threatened
the annihilation of the human race.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 47

It was decided by the savants, that the dis-
tribution of crude petroleum in stagnant pools
and humid marshes, was the only effective
method for the extermination of mosquito life.
The distribution of greenbacks for their valu-
able services, (notwithstanding the fact that
under the microscope they were found to con-
tain two hundred and fifty-seven diseases and
thirty-eight million microbes to the square
inch), were grabbed with unprecedented avidi-
ty by these same specialists,

1913

Child Labor

The dwarfing and crippling of the mental,
moral and physical growth of tender children,
by the avaricious employers, and its baleful
consequence of peopling the community with
moral and bodily degenerates, devoid of the
desirable elements of good citizenship, had be-
come so appallingly flagrant that a general
sentiment of the people was aroused in a
mighty protest to the Federal authorities.

Thanks to the aggressive and strenuous leg-
islative warfare of Labor Unions in every
State, aided by the persistent moral agitation

4S AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

of Women's Clubs all over the country, child
labor was entirely abolished in many channels
of industries, such as mills, factories, collieries
and plantations. In more gentle occupations
the employment of minors, was placed on a
healthier and more humane basis than had
ever before been the case.

1914

The Qreat Radium Swindle

The fabulously high price of this metal had
awakened the cupidity of a coterie of adroit
schemers who, had palmed off on unsuspecting
men of science, a rank substitute which cost
only a trifle to manufacture.

After securing an enormous sum pf money,
the schemers had decamped to parts unknown.

It was discovered that the spurious metal
thus disposed was nothing more than a highly
compressed form of phosphorous.

1915

Death of an Eminent Physician

Dr. Wisehardt, the brilliant young physician
and surgeon who discovered the electro-mag-
netic germ-cells of life, and invented methods
to prolong life itself by the cultivation of these

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 4g

cells, died in the 27th year of his age from
premature senility.

1916

A Tidal Wave

The most memorable event of this year was
a gigantic tidal wave of tremendous height,
which swept over the lower coast of Florida.
In a few minutes it inundated and destroyed a
^ast area of the coast, doing incalculable dam-
age to shipping. It was estimated that nearly
fifteen thousand persons lost their lives in this
cataclysm.

1917

War Between United States and Columbia

The stubborn attitude of the Central Ameri-
can Republic, Columbia, towards the United
States, by her menacing antagonism to the con-
struction of the interoceanic canal, gradually
created a breach of the peace that led ultimately
to a forcible demonstration by the United States,
and precipitated the invasion by the latter of
the Republic of Panama.

Peace was re-established after a crushing de-
feat of the Columbians. The famous water-

so AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

way, the Republic of Panama, then became
United States territory, by annexation.

1918

The Women's Clubs

The Women's Clubs which, during their
first inception, were the subject of much ridi-
cule, and the proceedings of their meetings a
theme for ribald jokes in the secular press,
gradually developed into such gigantic propor-
tions that their influence became a powerful
factor in every public question of the day, and
in fact so continues unabated unto this day.

The last Federal statistics show more than
two thousand Institutions in the form of sani-
tariums, refuges, technical schools of practical
utility, entirely under the auspices of Club
Women. The constitutions of these laudable
organizations " invariably stand for something
which is ennobling " and their achievements
are monumental tributes to the upward trend
of womanhood.

There was, however, a crucial period in their
affairs worth mentioning. Some of these noble
but over-zealous women of that period, in their
exuberant enthusiasm for woman's rights, for-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE ji

getting the limitations of their sex,— consid-
ered by the greatest thinkers of the past ages
to be the sphere of Home, — ^agitated a propa-
ganda of political equality or suffrage and,
from time to time, created a stir among their
organizations until at last, in 1918, the Nat-
ional Federation of Women's Clubs decided to
hold a conclave in order to decide the follow-
ing momentous question: "Should Women
Enter Politics?"

More than four thousand five hundred dele-
gates from all over the Union assembled at
Madison Square Garden, in New York City.
Sympathizers of the suffragists with their elo-
quence tried to railroad through a measure in
their behalf, but equally able leaders of the
opposition — ^benefitted by the warning of Sages
— ^succeeded in counterbalancing the efforts of
their fair antagonists.

After a heated symposium the question was
put to a vote, which resulted decisively in a
victory for those who opposed the movement.
It was further voted, that they should confine
all their energies to civic, educational and hu-
manitarian channels and things pertaining to
Home. This was a most happy and wise de-

S3 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

cision, for the world at large needs mothers
who will beget and nurse a Florence Nightin-
gale, a Clara Biirton, a Washington or a Lin-
coln, rather than mothers who would become
a Jezebel, a Delilah or a Cleopatra,

1910

The Tornado

A cyclonic tornado of intense velocity and
destructive force struck New York City, de-
molishing in its path, in the shape of a semi-
circle from the Battery to Twenty-third Street,
West, two hundred and seventy-five buildings.
Fortunately, the day being a holiday, the loss
of life was comparatively small.

1920

The Power of the Press

Through emancipation from its shackles of
monarchic censorship and subserviency to des-
potic masters, the upward rise of the Press to
usefulness and power was without a parallel —
a power to which even Napoleon Bonaparte
was sensible when he said, " I fear three news-
papers more than a hundred thousand bayo-
nets." But like everything else in the uni-
verse, the Press also had its dual potentiality..

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE SS

Like a two-edged sword, it could be wielded
for good or evil. In the bands of an unscrupu-
lous politician it was a treacherous weapon,
while in the control of the righteous citizen a
tremendous power for good.

Thus the Press for many decades, subsidized
by the traitorous capitalist and under the guise
of a pious mask, catered to the evil designs of
the plutocracy until the gradual awakening of
the people through the independent press at
last understood their hypocrisy.

The independent press, however, attained
its highest degree of efficiency by the estab-
lishment of the College of Journalism. Its
foundation slogan, publicity on all political and
economic questions, had created a force of
trained journalists — z. force "mightier than
the sword " and in a manner far more pene-
trating than the X-ray — pledged to defend the
rights of the citizens. By an educational prop-
aganda it taught the masses how to eradicate
existing evils by the mere exercise of their un-
alienable right, the ballot box. Indeed in a
government " of the people, for the people and
by the people," resort to force or revolution
was absolutely unnecessary, while these two

S4 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

most effectual weapons the world had ever
seen, the voting power and the free press, were
at their command.

1921

Balloons and Airships

Strange to say, from the time of Archytas
of Tarantum to Otto Lilienthal, and from
Montgoflier Bros, to Santos Dumont, Bell,
Maxim and Langley, very little or no progress
had been made in practical and safe aerial
navigation.

Though all these inventors, whether cranks
with a smattering of mechanical knowledge,
or veritable savants and scientists, efficient in
physics according to their own accounts, had
studied the subject of aerial flight from the
fowls of the air, the failure of their experi-
ments showed that they were far from grasping
the mysteries of that subtle sagacity and subcon-
sciousness of the birds, by which they balanced
themselves against the currents and velocity
of the winds, and by their intuitive sensitive-
ness, utilized to the fullest extent their vast
number of muscles and feathers with such
marvelous subtlety.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE SS

Like the Italian alchemist in the middle
ages, who had constructed the wings of his
flying machine with feathers gathered from a
dunghill, and who, when attempting to fly,
had found himself dumped, by a strange sym-
pathetic affinity, on the very dunghill from
which he had gathered the feathers, the efforts
likewise, of these illustrious experimenters were
crowned by successful failures, by a similar
force of attraction, their apparatus either alight-
ing on the branches of trees, or diving into
the waters like ducks.

At the beginning of the 20th Century, the
consensus of scientific opinion had reached the
conclusion, that the successful flying machine
of the future would be one, which would be
heavier than air and with either a very small
balloon or none at all. The various forms of
balloons and flying craft, exhibited at the St
Louis exposition became an incentive for re-
newed efforts by scientists to solve the problem
of aerial flight and continued with unremitting
zest for nearly a quarter of a century.

It was in the early part of 1919 that the
science of aeronautics was radically improved
by the discovery of a process for hardening

S6 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

and soldering of Aluminum, by which com-
paratively light but strong framework and
machinery were constructed, and thus gradu-
ally the elimination of inflated balloons had
become possible.

1922

The Flood in Mississippi Valley

In the spring of this year the Mississippi
Valley was flooded and submerged by terrible
cloudbursts which, combined with melting of
snows on the mountains, and subsequent burst-
ing of dams and levees, devastated a vast area.
According to records the lives lost in the in-
undated districts reached the total of sixty
thousand.

1923

Ufiiform Divorce Laws

The unprecedented increase of divorces all
over the United States and the attendant scan-
dalous proceedings at the courts had reached
such a maximum, and its baneful influence on
the public morals had developed into such a
point of danger that, a great awakening among
the clergy and lawmakers of the nation was

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE S7

the result At a conclave of representatives
of the legal profession from every State in the
Union, was promulgated a uniform divorce
law for the United States of America.

1924

The Zionist Movement

or

The Bursting: of the Zion Bubble

The Zionist movement which for thirty years
past gained more than two million converts
and within that period had collected more than
fifteen million dollars, was declared impractic-
able and illusionary !

The estimable originators of this sentiment-
al movement, Herzle, Nordau, Zangwill and
others, although beyond the shadow of a doubt
sincere and well-meaning, through the intensi-
ty of their zeal for the amelioration of their
less fortunate brethren, were entirely blind-
folded to the intricacies of politics and the
eventful history of the Jewish race, from an
ethnological and psychological point of view.

Some of these true yet misguided philanthro-
pists had passed away and other leaders, less
impressed with the object of the society, had

S8 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

taken their places. As the Jews are not a
pioneer race, the magnanimous scheme of the
British government to place them upon a tract
of virgin soil at Uganda, in Central Africa^
for the purpose of colonization proved chaotic
failure, on account of both sociological and
economic reasons.

The idea also of establishing a Jewish prin-
cipality in Palestine, under an absolutely des-
potic and semi-barbarous government — ^which
butchered her subjects ad libitum — ^was so
ridiculous in the extreme, that the questions
had become the laughing stock at the political
sanctus sanctorums of various governments.

In 1923 a tremendous agitation was brought
about by the leaders of the opposition, and
those in power of the movement were chal-
lenged to public debate. The question grew
to such proportions thdt it became a subject
for discussion in every orthodox and gentile
pulpit In the press, sociologists, ethnologists
and anthropologists took part in the ephemeral
arena and analyzed every phase of the subject,
relating to the Hebrew race and the Zionist
movement, laying bare every fact without
reserve.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE S9

It was stated by the opposition that though
a stream of money had been pouring in from
every quarter of the globe year after year, for
the cause, no result as yet had been obtained,
that great sums had been spent in salaries of
the oiEcials and at the dilly-dallying, corrupt
courts of the Turkish Sultan.

A learned sociologist likened the Hebrews
to a parasitic plant, which derived its existence
from the living sap of another. " An Israelite "
he declared, " can only exist favorably amongst
civilized centres of Christian and gentile com-
munities; that whenever a colony of Hebrews
were isolated by themselves, they would inev-
itably and gradually retrograde, impoverish
and at last form a ghetto of misery and squalor."

Another ethnologist of repute expounded
the fact, that the Jews were the life and es-
sence of commercial activity and consequently
formed an integral part of a prosperous com-
mon-wealth. Sublimely industrious, instinct-
ively provident and economical by nature, the
Jews were persecuted because of their inherent
virtues. He proved by clever historical docu-
ments, that their expulsion from Babylon,
Egypt, Spain, Russia or wherever their rights

6o AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

were abrogated, were the fundamental causes
of the decadence of these countries from which
they were expelled.

Others accused the Hebrews of perverting
the Golden Rule, of taking advantage of others
by their inborn instinct of commercial sagaci-
ty, which well nigh approached unscrupulous-
ness and that, being a mere commercial people,
their patriotism could well be challenged.
Many others advised, however, a propaganda
of judicious assimilation of the Israelite with
the Christians, contending that the sum total
of their virtues and faults was the same as that
of their Christian brethren. Meanwhile they ad-
vised the Jews that " wherever they lived they
ought to make there, their Zions and temples."

After much heated argument and discussion
which occupied several days, they at last ar-
rived at the conclusion that the Zionist move-
ment was chimerical ! The balance of the
funds amounting to many million dollars were
voted for the establishment of technical and
commercial schools for Israelites and for a
fund to aid the judicious emigration of the
Jews from ill-favored and congested districts
to more favorable localities.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 6t

1925-26

The Ans:lo-Americafi Alliance

The Anglo-American Alliance, by which
these two foremost nations of the earth were
brought into a happy, fraternal union, and for
the achievement of which for nearly a quarter
of a century there had been a great efEort, in
this year had become an accomplished fact I

It was celebrated in a manner unprecedent-
ed in the annals of the World's history. Hav-
ing a profound and far reaching effect, it be-
came an ultimatum for other nations to keep
the peace, and goaded them toward the adop-
tion of similar laws, in order to secure the
same reciprocal blessings of universal brother-
hood.

Much credit was due to that eminent Eng-
lish statesman, now Lord Cunningham, through
whose tactful diplomacy this long-sought com-
mercial, social, offensive and defensive alliance
became a reality. " I am restrained," said the
Professor, looking in the direction of Aurora
Cunningham, " to avoid eulogizing him as he
justly deserves, for obvious reasons."

At this sentence the students, under the im-
pulse of a sudden admiration, arose to their

62 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

feet en masse, and, glancing smilingly at Au-
rora, began rapturously to clap their hands.

This interruption of sympathetic apprecia-
tion was brought to a close, by a ringing cry of
the Seminary yell : " Dee, Dee, Ya, Ya, Na,
Na, Diana. Hurrah ! Hurrah ! ! Hurrah I ! ! "

Aurora, blushing deeply, gracefully bowed
her acknowledgement and in due form the
class was dismissed for the day.

CHAPTER V
The Fistic Duel

THE evening following the moonlight f €te,
a little after sunset when the western
sky, stained with a luminous golden hue, had
spread on verdant hills and valleys its radiance
of languorous serenity, two motor cyclists were
speeding along on a secluded path that led in-
to the main highway, from the Diana Semi-
nary to the West Point Military Academy.
The one in advance was wheeling in a leisure-
ly way, while the one behind exerted greater
speed, as if in pursuit of the other. He was
gaining rapidly so that in a very few minutes
the foremost was overtaken, as they both
reached a wooden bridge, spanning a small
body of water.

Both came suddenly to a stop and dismount-
ed. They were Professor Cielo Allenson and
Carlos Don Seville. Don Seville, stung by
63

64 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

the rebuke which the Professor had adminis-
tered to him the night previous at the Semi-
nary, had decided to take the cowardly course
of waylaying the instructor, in this lonely path,
in order to avenge himself for the righteous
verbal punishment the latter had given him.

Carlos Don Seville was a degenerate scion
of a once noble Spanish family, who had set-
tled in the United States and, like many such
oflFspring, was engaged in sowing his wild oats.
Financially dependent on a small income, he
was always at his wit's end in order to secure
money with which to continue his reckless
profligacy. Being inherently foolish and im-
provident, he always had the illusion that some
day " something would turn up," and encour-
aged by this belief he had recourse to gamb-
ling and speculation. As soon as he received
his dwindled allowance, he made himself a
willing prey of card sharps and get-rich-quick
brigands.

Lately, however, he had conceived the idea
of marrying an heiress, and for that purpose
he was hovering about Diana Seminary, annoy-
ing the young ladies by his unsolicited atten-
tions, or by brazen audacity intruding uncere-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 6j

inoniously upon their receptions. His snob-
bish mendacity reached its climax when at the
night of the moonlight soiree he accosted Au-
rora and Margaret at the intermission of the
dance, while they were sauntering arm-in-arm
along the parterre to a trysting nook.

Notwithstanding Margaret's bold declara-
tion of the previous day, that she wanted to
give the " Jewsky " a piece of her mind, the
feminine temerity and reserve had ^taken pos-
session of her. The minute they saw him ad-
vance they took to their heels, and scampered
back with appealing gestures toward Professor
AUenson who, divining at once the situation,
came gallantly to their rescue, giving Don Sev-
ille a scathing reprimand and commanding him
to depart, " unless he desired," announced the
Professor, "to be skinned alive by the war
dogs of the Military Academy."

Don Seville, frightened and abashed, beat an
inglorious retreat and disappeared.

Professor Cielo Allenson, better known at
the Military Academy as the "Old Guard,"
was a venerable man past seventy. He had a
bighly intellectual countenance and his silvery
white hair and patriarchal beard gave him

66 AJV ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

a noble dignity which commanded respect.
His strenuous virility and inexhaustible energy
was ever a lesson and a rebuke ^o the many
indolent youths who came in contact with him*
He was a philosopher of the first rank and an
intense lover of nature. Imbued with the
deeper knowledge of the subtle workings of
natural phenomena, " he could not draw a
line," he would say, "between the manifesta-
tions of human, animal and vegetable king-
doms."

" Halt you d d old cur ! I demand no

apology, but satisfaction," snarled Don Seville
abruptly, his face livid with anger.

For a second the Professor was taken aback.
But in that very second, through his intuitive
and resourceful mind flashed the fact that he
was "cornered." He was not a man easily
frightened, for as a Major of Volunteers during
the Panama and Columbian trouble, and while
in his teens, he had led on his handful of men
up the hills against the ramparts of the enemy.

But a problem which required instantaneous
solution was now presented to him by .Carlos
Don Seville. It was a problem which neither
diplomacy, moral persuasion nor flight of ora-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 6?

tory could solve. He realized in that very-
second that the only way out of this difficulty
was to take the coward at his word. It was
to be a fistic encounter to the finish.

"Apology, I have none to oflFer you sir,
and am ready to give you such satisfaction as
you desire," replied the old man with a digni-
fied firmness.

A remarkable change had taken place in the
person of Cielo Allenson. That venerable and
spirituelle individual had been transformed in
a twinkling of an eye, into a grim and deter-
mined looking animal, and like an expert
gladiator of the fistic arena, he took the atti-
tude of self-defense.

The "ring" constituted the platform of the
wooden bridge, the side rails of which served
as the partial ropes. There were no seconds
to goad their favorites into action, no referee
to decide the doubtful or unlawful blows, no
gong to mark the rounds, nor time-keeper to
count the defeated out of action. In the lan-
guorous glow of the twilight their shadows,
• reflected in black silhouettes in the placid wa-
ters below, were the only silent witnesses of
this remarkable encounter.

68 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

, The contest was constant and in the vernac-
ular of pugilism, superbly game, fast and furi-^
ous ! After the acceptance of the challenge
there was no parley bettveen them, but by a
sudden rush, Don Seville with his right hand
landed a hammering blow on the Professor's
skull, which the latter parried with his left
with dexterous agility and thus saved a crisis,
for if left unchecked the blow would have
reached his " solar plexus." In rapid succes-
sion the fight continued, Don Seville taking
the aggressive and the Professor acting more
in self-defense. However, as often as oppor-
tunity presented, the latter put in a few well
aimed jabs, here and there, on the vital points
of Don Seville's anatomy. At the same time
it was apparent that Don Seville was getting
the best of the contest. The venerable Pro-
fessor unused to long continued strain of the
kind, began to experience difficulty in breath-
ing, and this did not escape Don Seville's ob-
servation. Shortly, however, a remarkable
change was visible; the Professor seemed to
grow stronger with each onslaught he made.
He had gained his so-called " second wind "
thereby recouping his adroitness and elasticity-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 6g

With the consummate skill of a scientific
boxer, several times he feigned signs of weak-
ness, by giving false openings, of which his
infuriated antagonist attempted to avail him-
self, thinking the Professor to be on the verge
of collapse, only to receive in return several
well directed right and left swings on the jaw.
These staggered Don Seville to his knees, but
he was allowed to rise to his feet by the gen-
erous tolerance of the Professor, and the con-
sciousness of this humility caused him to wage
the attack with reckless fury. With vulgar
oaths he began to resort to foul tactics, trying
to hit the defender beyond the limits of decent
pugilism.

Don Seville's endurance had now come to
its end. His youth, dissipated by debauchery,
was undermined of its stability, and in spite
of the wide disparity of ages the old man had
Don Seville absolutely in his power. It was
time, he thought, to terminate these proceed-
ings, so distasteful and undignified to him, but
the only way he saw was, to lay aside the tac-
tics of self defense, and adopt those of a puni-
tive retaliation.

With keen alertness he watched for an op-

fo AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

portunity and when Don Seville, almost crazed
with anger, rushed on him for a clinch, entire-
ly oblivious of the intention of the Professor,
the latter gave a sudden shift to his position
by swinging his body away from his antagon-
ist Don Seville blindly followed him in his
determination of a desperate onslaught It
was then that the venerable Allenson shot out
a driving " right upper cut " to the jaw.

This was the finale ! Don Seville staggered
to the rails and toppling over fell with a splash
into the limpid waters below.

The Professor promptly jumped down the
embankment and pulled out his still un-
conscious adversary. If abandoned in that
condition the young man might have drowned
in the shallow waters. The Professor began
to do all in his power to restore him to conscious-
ness; just at that time a farmhand on horseback
appeared on the scene, and by his aid the
Academy ambulance was summoned and Don
Seville was taken to the military hospital

The Pinal Blow

CHAPTER VI
Historical Events of the 20th Centufy

iConclnded)

A SUBDUED applause greeted the Pro-
fessor the next day when he entered the
lecture room to conclude his review of events
of the- 2oth Century. Many floral bouquets
were tossed to him by his fair admirers, who
were augmented from the other classes, on ac-
count of the full detail of his encounter with
Don Seville having been spread throughout
the Seminary.

The Professor, despite some discoloration on
his benign visage, flushed crimson like a bash-
ful child and bowed his acknowledgements, as
he began his discourse thus :

1927

Colonization of Central Africa

A system of general colonization on a large
scale was, during this year, undertaken by the
71

7^ AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

British Government By a new homestead
law, embodying liberal inducements, a vast
army of colonists from all over the British do-
minions were transported to Central Africa.
Thousands upon thousands of persons from the
congested districts of London, Glasgow, Liver-
pool and other large cities, were persuaded to
leave their limited surroundings and uncon-
genial atmosphere, and go to the promising
new land, teeming with boundless opportu-
nities.

Almost the entire inhabitants of the isolated
islands of the Shetlands and Orkneys, who led
an indolent life and eked a meagre existence
by fisheries, joined this grand trek to Central
Africa. Many thousands from the Canadian
provinces and from the United States of Amer-
ica joined this exodus, as did also thousands
from the East Indies. The thorough and ad-
mirable manner in which this laudable move-
ment was handled mitigated the hardships of
transportation, and thus within a few years
more than five million, poor, homeless and
indolent people were given homesteads of
their own, awakening them into energy and
thrift

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 7^

Within a decade the population of Central
Africa reached the grand total of 25,cxx),ooo
industrious, loyal citizens, forming a flourish-
ing dependency, enjoying home rule and liber-
ty, under the protection of British laws and
arms*

1928

The Conflagration of the Atlantic Ocean

One of the most wonderful and at the same
time awful conflagrations of its kind on record
in the history of the world, was that of the ap-
parent burning of the Atlantic Ocean, covering
an area one hundred and fifty miles wide. It
started in the Gulf of Mexico and, like a prairie
fire, only a thousand times more furious, this
floating furnace consumed scores of vessels
that came into its fiery path.

A few weeks previous to this awful holocaust,
the petroleum wells in Texas, New Mexico and
Louisiana had run dry, on account of a severe
earthquake. It was argued by scientists that,
by some subterranean convulsions the oil well
fissures had shifted their course, into the wa-
ters of the gulf, and the vast accumulation of
the inflammable fluid, floating on the ocean had

14 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

been ignited, either by an electric spark during
a thunderstorm, or by some combustible being
thrown from a sailing craft

1929

The Court of Labor

In this year was completed and dedicated
the Court of Labor at Washington. This was
an imposing building, in which all the mo-
mentous labor problems were discussed before
a tribunal of disinterested justices, through
the able representatives of each faction, with-
out resorting to disastrous strikes, lockouts and
disturbances of public comfort.

One of the most remarkable features of this
Cotut of Arbitration was, the colossal group
erecited between the two grand entrances to
the tuilding. This was not a semi-nude fe-
male figure with bandaged eyes, holding in her
hand the conventional pair of scales, but a
Herculean figure of Uncle Sam with his starry
hat and glorious chin whiskers, having three
faces, three eyes and three arms. Before him
were a group of three figures which represent-
ed respectively Capital^ Consumer and Labor.
In each figure were his eyes wide open and

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 7$

alert, bent with searching scrutiny upon the
person in front, to whom he dispensed the just
share of each, from a huge cornucopia at his
feet

1930

Landlordism in America

One of the most scandalous evils which had
crept gradually in the United States, and
eventually became a source of grave anxiety
to the government, was a system of Lan41ord-
ism amongst the very rich. While the gener-
al public were slumbering in blissful ignor-
ance, this coterie of avaricious syndicates and
multi-millionaires had mysteriously become
possessors of vast tracts of lands, in every state
of the Union. Some of these holdings com-
prised hundreds and thousands of square miles
in extent.

Miles and miles of shore-fronts, immense
areas of forests, whole mountains and lakes,
through the conniving, corrupt state and coun-
ty officials, had passed into the hands of pri-
vate individuals who, in return had become ex-
tremely arrogant in their treatment of the pub-
lic, by unreasonable restriction.

7^ AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

There seemed to be a mocking sarcasm in
the fact when common people sang the Nation-
al Anthem " America," celebrating its hills
and rills, while at every turn of the road, at
every shore-front, lake, hill and valley, moun-
tain and forests, the forbidding sign, " No Tres-
passing Under Penalty," met their eyes, or the
repulsive muzzle of the Winchester was thrust
into their faces by private watchmen.

This state of affairs had reached such des-
perate straits, that the public suddenly awak-
ened on the subject It started first by the pro-
test of the rougher element in the mountain
districts, who defied the hired authorities with
an organized force. The people committed
acts of violence and incendiarism it is true, but
by their overt acts they awakened the dormant
public to realize the enormity of this scandal-
ous condition of deeding away to millionaires,
without the consent of the commonweklth, the
common and inalienable heritage of its citizens.

By a unanimous uprising and public man-
date the Federal and State authorities were
compelled to condemn and confiscate these
stolen public lands. New laws were then en-
acted by which the acquiring of extensive

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 77

lands was limited, except for agricultural pur-
poses.

1931 #

The Discovery of the North Pole

The North Pole, that mysterious geographi-
cal locality which for centuries had baffled sci-
entists and explorers, was located and verified
by the combined efforts of American and Brit-
ish Governments. The expedition was on a
gigantic scale, the force of the explorers being
in round numbers two thousand five hundred
persons who by a system of depots and rendez-
vous for supplies, formed almost a continuous
chain.

All the latest devices in the form of dyna-
mo-vans and motor-sleds, with balloon attach-
ments were employed in the undertaking.
Strange to say the casualties did not exceed
more than ten per cent of the expeditionary
force. It was discovered, to the great surprise
of scientists, that the locality was nothing
more than a plateau, studded with cones of ice !

1932

Cure for Laziness

The discovery, by an American, of a germi-

fS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

cide for indolence was announced during this
year, by which lethargic persons were regen-
erated into acute activity. It was a concen-
trated double extract of pitch-blend, contain-
ing the radio active element, and when applied
to certain parts of the body, it instantaneously
transformed the feeling of laziness and ennui,
into one of hustling energy and alertness.

The negroes of the Southern States, the
natives of tropical countries and also officials
in the police departments of large cities, were
the ones benefitted by this "golden medical
discovery ! ''

1933

Capital Punishment

The abolishment of capital punishment in
many States of the Union, through the impul-
sive sentimentality of a minority, had given
birth to an old time evil, that of feudalism. It
was well for people preaching mercy for mur-
derers, when somebody else was the victim, but
when the crime was perpetrated against one
o£ their homes, their feelings were entirely
changed. The increase of vendetta was the
result, and it occurred with such a lamentable

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 79

degree of frequency, that the old uncontrovert-
ible Mosaic law, blood for blood, and life for
life was re-established.

1934

Abolition off Hereditary Titles in England

The agitation for the abolition of hereditary
titles in England caused a crisis in the politi-
cal and social world of Great Britain. The de-
generacy of hereditary nobles, their utter inca-
pacity adequately to fill the positions left by
their illustrious ancestors, to the detriment and
retrogression of the British government, was
the main cause of bringing about this bloodless
internecine revolution.

Despite the most strenuous opposition by
the friends of the nobles, a new law was added
to the revised Magna Charta, by an over-
whelming public demand. With few excep-
tions, it nullified the existing titles, and ele-
vated to peerage only worthy citizens for life,
on condition of the good behavior of the in-
cumbent. This excellent law brought fresh
and saving blood into the political and civic
life of England. The movement precipitated
the abandonment of the House of Lords and

So AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

created in its stead a body called Senatorium,
whose members were elected by the tax-paying
citizens.

1935

Blowing the Earth Into Fras:iiieiits

The most remarkable sensation of this year
was that of a German scientist and statistician
who, after a thorough investigation and math-
ematical calculation, announced his conclu-
sions, that it was in the range of collective
human power, that is, by the combined aid of
labor, time, money and high explosives, to rend
the earth in twain, or into fragments, and thus
create new planets in space, producing new
climatic conditions, fauna and life, adaptable
to their new positions in the solar system.

1937

An American Penal Colony

The census of this year revealed an unpre-
cedented number of evil-doers; causing great
anxiety to the Government. There were re-
corded ninety-two thousand criminals in pris-
ons and seventy-six thousand paupers in the
poor houses. This army of public charges cost

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 8i

the State authorities more than thirty million
dollars for their maintenance.

At last by the stress of popular agitation the
government adopted a policy of penal coloni-
zation. Selecting a desirable island in the
Philippines, the Federal authorities succeeded
in transporting to the island, within three
years, and with half the cost of their main-
tenance at home, one hundred thousand of
these unfortunate malefactors.

Here, they were given every facility and aid,
for acquiring and building of homes, farms and
factories, and within ten years, under a wise
military administration more than half of that
number were reclaimed, forming a prosperous
and loyal community in the Eastern Hemi-
sphere.

1938

The Qreat Telescope

With the munificent contributions to a gen-
eral fund, amounting to two million dollars,
by the English, American and French Govern-
ments, the greatest telescope which the world
has ever known was constructed in Paris. Its
lenses measured more than two meters in

82 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

diameter which, combined with a mammoth
revolving camera obscura, brought the moon
and some of the planets within the range of
visual observation, revealing on Venus and
Mars the existence of vegetation and moving
objects.

1939

The Earth An Electric Motor

Emil Flammarion, the worthy grandson of
the eminent French astronomer, demonstrated
by an extremely clever mechanical contrivance
in Vacuo, that the Earth was merely an electric
Motor in space !

1040

The Trend off Religious Thought

Religious thought or spiritual belief is not
an invention of mortals. It is an inborn attri-
bute of the human mind. While man was in
his savage or semi-barbarous stage, the ethical
and spiritual conceptions were corresponding-
ly crude and religious warfare predominated.
With the advance of civilization its develop-
ment kept pace with it until at the dawn of the
twentieth century it had undergone, by natur-
al evolution, a marked metamorphosis.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 83

It gradually divested itself of its legendary
mysticism, fantastic dogmas and spectacular
schisms, and all intelligent thinkers promul-
gated a propaganda, not of external forms of
worship, but those uncontrovertible basic
truths, which always will hold.

It is true that in an era of comn^ercial ma-
terialism great masses of people embraced ag-
nosticism and ethical culture, rejecting that
supernatural conception of a first cause of
which they claimed their limited intellect had
a vague idea and was deeper than the hazy
human comprehension, yet, the shallow Inger-
solian philosophy of attacking a force — which
filled millions with hope and goaded them to
self-sacrifice, mercy and charity — without sub-
stituting something better, was repudiated by
the intelligent, and appealed only to the ab-
normal and the foolish.

This tendency of materialism in religion
continued unabated, until the startling an-
nouncement of a German scientist — who
claimed it was within human power to rend
the world in twain — ^also the marvelous reve-
lation through the mammoth telescope — ^by
^hich was discovered moving objects and veg-

84 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

etation in other planets — brought on an acute
crisis. A tremendous religious revival swept
all . over the world. It expanded the mental
horizon of human conceptions. The existence
of living organism in other spheres came with-
in rational deductions. The possible existence
of beings far superior in intellect to ourselves,
came within the limit of legitimate theoriza-
tions, and the more men began to grasp with
the co-operation of science, the infinite vastness
of the universe, with its numberless millions
of habitable worlds, the probability of an in-
telligent force of vast creative power came
within the scope of human understanding.

The forceful passage in the Holy Writ " that
God created man in his own image " became
more and more lucid. Consequently the pan-
theism of the old Greeks were revived with
more clearness, and the existence of a personal
God somewhere in this boundless universe ap-
pealed to multitudes with new zest.

" Pray, Professor, what is your opinion of a
first cause? " ventured one of the students.

"There are so many mysterious forces,"
answered the Professor, "that although we
cannot see, yet we feel their power and are

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 8s

conscious of their results. And as our mortal
organism cannot conceive a thought which is
beyond its own limitations, the very idea of our
thought of a first cause falls within the range
of human conceptions.

When we gaze at an automobile, which is
the creation of a creature, we see a wonderful
parallelism; its requirements to make it an ac-
tive energy, bears a strong analogy of its in-
ventor, yet, an automobile with all its require-
ments for power supplied, is a worthless mass,
unless operated and guided by its creator.
Does not this vast universe with all its wonder-
ful manifestations suggest a creative force,
which governs it ? "

" Albeit, it is not within my province nor in
my power to penetrate the veil " continued the
Professor, looking up in pensive mood. But
as the coral protoplasm begins its edifice from
the calcerous mire in the dark recesses of the
ocean, upwards through the murky and semi-
transparent liquid, finally reaches the pelucid
surface, kisses the wave and sees the light, me-
thinks likewise, the spiritual perceptions of
mankind which has grown from the depths of
savagery and through the maze of intolerance^

36 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

dogmas and schisms, will go onward in its ev-
olution and perhaps our posterity will at last
penetrate the mystic veil and see the light,—
God.

1941

The Birthday Anniversary off Noted Centenarians

" Lithia Bingham," *' Young Dr. Bray " and
" Sister Eddy " received the homage and con-
gratulations of millions of their admirers, on
their hundred and fiftieth birthday anniversary.

The remarkable longevity of this trio of
Methuselahs was attributed, in the case of the
two first mentioned, to their own " cure all "
concoctions, and the last, to her scientific reve-
lation of thinking that, there is no such thing
as pain or death !

*' In closing this review of historical events,"
said the Professor looking around the auditori-
um, " there are a few other important happen-
ings that bring us to the present decade. •

The remarkable decadence of Germany under
a Socialistic regime, a doctrine, that although
theoretically seems to be so desirably altruistic,
convincing, and in poetry sounds so well, but
in practise has proved to be determental to a

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE Sf

life of strenuous efiforts, and suicidal to individ-
ual ambitions — conditions which are eminent-
ly essential to growing and prosperous com-
munities.

The consequent exodus of Teutons to other
parts of the world that promised freedom to
independent action.

The political union of Spain and Portugal.

The re-conquest by France of Alsacfe Lorain.

The puerile uprising by a section of Irish
people against England are still fresh in our
memory — and to which most of you have been
eye-witnesses — are some of the events worthy
of record."

Here the Professor, after a pause, changed
his subject to future possibilities and, present-
ing to the class in eloquent words a glowing,
optimistic picture of conditions for future gen-
erations, brought his discussion to a close.
When he stepped down from the rostrum he
was at once surrounded by the entire class and
was tendered an impromptu but agreeable
reception.

CHAPTER Vn
The Regatta

THERE was still one great event before
the closing of the academic year of the
Diana Seminary Seniors, in which the class
had taken extraordinary interest. It was the
first time in the history of the Seminary that
students were to take part in aquatic sports
against male contestants. The day for the
great handicap regatta — a four-oared afifair —
between the Senior class of the Seminary and
the Sophomore class of the West Point Mili-
tary Academy followed directly after gradua-
tion, — ^the class grade being the handicap al-
lowed to the Seminary girls.

Aurora and Margaret, after their avowal and
covenant, were again in normal condition,
cheerful as of yore, and as they were the most
available pair for the aquatic contest, from the
beginning they had been chosen unanimously

88

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 8g

as the exponents of the class of i960, and they
went into the execution of the sport with vim
and enthusiasm.

As the event was a unique one, it had be-
come the most lively topic of conversation
among the people, and long before it took
place had caused widespread interest in the
country. Having been advertised and ex-
ploited extensively in the daily press, it is
needless to say that an unusually large con-
course of visitors had arrived by land and
water to witness the classic and unusual
contest.

The course of the race was laid near Pough-
keepsie and was in the shape of a heart, that
is, starting at a given point, side by side, they
raced about half a mile abreast, then one crew
turning to port and the other to starboard, di-
verging in a parabolic circle, passed each other
in the center within a short distance of the
starting point, and making counter-circles
started on the home run, again abreast {See
diagram^ page po,)

The personnel of the Seminary crew con-
sisted of the following young ladies : Aurora
Cunningham, coxswain ; Margaret MacDonald,

go

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

stroke ; Horatia Seymour, number one ; Eimice
Ward, number two ; and Norma Southworth
at the bow.

When the pieliminary signal to make ready
was given, both the crews rowed gracefully to

jDjana

COVBSM^

the starting ground and began to manoeuvre.
At the sharp report of the signal gun, the two
shells shot past the line almost abreast, amidst
deafening acclamation from the spectators on
the shore and the shrill tooting and whistling

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE qM

of the sailing craft of every description that
had formed almost a compact circle around the
course.

The calm and pleasant weather had allowed
the waters of the Hudson to run as smooth as
a looking-glass, except for the turbulence
caused by the ever restless pleasure boats
thronged with sightseers, each endeavoring to
get a better vantage point of the impending
struggle. As the contest progressed, the inter-
est of the watchers began to increase. Thous-
ands of field and marine glasses and lorgnettes
were leveled at the racers as they sped along
the course.

The teams had now reached the point of di-
vergence, and had begun to recede from each
other at every stroke on their parabolic circuit,
the boys turning to port and the girls to star-
board. But alas ! Hardly had the Seminary
shell advanced half a dozen strokes when, by
some unexpected and inexplicable accident,
Margaret's feet slipped oflE the foot guard and,
in an instant, she was thrown into the waters
of the Hudson, the shell meanwhile gliding
swiftly by.

Instantly the air was filled by a deafening

Q2 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

cry of dismay from the throats of thousands
of eager spectators, coupled with piercing
whistles of the steamboats. What a moment
of anguish for the Diana Seminary girls!
What a shocking sense of humiliation for the
fair contestants ! To think that in an event
so crucial for their honor and standing, such
an unforeseen disaster should overwhelm them !

But fate was with them. It was decreed
that such a catastrophe should happen in order
to heighten the grandeur of their ultimate vie*
tory. While the spectators were still paralyzed
with the awful situation before them, there
was activity and heroism among the Diana
mermaids in the shell. The instant Aurora
with her alert eyes saw Margaret's mishap,
she realized at once the situation and before
the shell had glided past, she leaned over and
caught Margaret by the hair. By the same
impulsive and almost animal agility, Margaret
grasped Aurora's arm and in another moment,
with less loss of tinie than would seem possi-
ble, she was again in the shell. In a twink-
ling of an eye the breathless girl had resumed
her place at the oar as if nothing had happened.

Aware of the loss of distance by this un-

On the ** Homestretch »»

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE gs

toward accident, which was, in fact, more than
four boats' length, but undismayed and as if
invigorated by her impromptu bath, in order
to recover lost ground Margaret set the pace
at a higher speed and forged ahead with might
and main. When the throngs on land and
water realized what had happened the din of
exultation and cheering was beyond descrip-
tion and this did not abate until the race was
finished. Overwrought by the sight of this
heroic exploit of the girls, men and women
had become madly hysterical. When the shells
crossed each other at the half-mile stake it
was seen that the Seminary girls had recovered
considerable ground, leaving a margin of less
than two boats' length. Encouraged by the
splendid showing made, and goaded to endeav-
or by the rapturous applause of the populace,
Margaret and the rest of the crew seemed to
gain new strength. And when Aurora with
the megaphone gave the order of thirty-six
strokes a minute, they set the pace with mar-
velous vigor and precision, causing consterna-
tion among their masculine antagonists.

On the completion of the second parabola
of their circuit and when coming on to the

g4 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

line for the homestretch, it was noticeable that
the Seminary shell was only a trifle behind.

The crucial moment had come.

They were now almost abreast on the home-
stretch. The intensity of the exciting scene
had for a moment cast a profound silence upon
the spectators. Every one was straining his
eyes and neck to see the momentous finish,
only to break again into a bedlam of rapturous
shouting when the girls were seen to be in the
lead. It was indeed a sight never to be for-
gotten, when the Seminary shell shot past the
finish line a full boat's length ahead, and the
girls were acclaimed by the populace as victors.

The intensity of the joy of the throng, and
the plight of their utter abandon, can be con-
jectured when it was discovered afterwards
that eight hundred and ninety-one ladies' and
two thousand three hundred and seventy-nine
gentlemen's head-gear were picked up in the
Hudson. The next day and through the week
following, divers reaped a good harvest by
bringing up from the river's bed one thousand
three hundred and ninety-four field, marine
and opera glasses, and two hundred and seven-
ty-five lorgnettes, besides innumerable parasols

!|l|liliU

The Winning Crew

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE gs

and canes which the people in their abandon
had thrown about

This episode was the crowning glory of the
Seminary and the beginning of a new epoch
in the history of this institution.

CHAPTER Vm
Dr. Hyder Ben Raaba

LIKE a nebular comet in a far away con-
stellation, so mysterious in its orbit and
composition, was Dr. Hyder Ben Raaba, who
suddenly made his appearance in the suburbs

of the cosmopolitan city of B on Long

Island. He occupied the spacious mansion of
a wealthy merchant, who had abandoned it
for a more comfortable lodge in the Adiron-
dacks. Surrounded by somewhat neglected
clumps of pines and shrubberies, the establish-
ment was entirely isolated from the highway
and most suitable for a man like the Hindoo
doctor, who seemed always to desire seclusion.
In order to form an idea of his singular per-
sonality, a brief description will perhaps en-
lighten the reader. He was tall, lank, of
swarthy complexion, endowed with a cyran-
esque proboscis and a moustache which pro-
96

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 97

truded like the tusks of a walrus. His eye-
brows resembled the moustache in miniature.
His big greenish-yellow eyes, with spacious
white borders and cat-like pupils, were able to
bring to bear an intensely hypnotic gaze, which
had an irresistible and subjective power. As
he was invariably attired in the picturesque
costume of his country, and from the fine tex-
ture of the silken turban and embroidered
robes, could easily be conjectured that he be-
longed to a high caste and noble Hindoo fami-
ly. He had a peculiar walk, continually
swerving from side to side as he moved, wrig-
gling and swinging his indispensable jessamine
cane, which from its serpentine convolutions
looked as if it had been hardened while in
convulsions.

The people of the neighborhood, although
amused by his strange antics, entertained great
respect for him. To some, especially to young
people, he seemed a monstrosity. They had
already nick-named him the "Crazy Doctor."
Vague rumors circulated among the gossip-
loving residents that he was a political refugee,
who, finding his life in danger in India, had
fled from his native land. But no one doubt-

gS AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

ed his ability as a physician and surgeon, for
in a short time he had founded a reputation
that commanded respect.

His cadaverous look, his strange hypnotic
eye and mysteriously eccentric movements,
enhanced a hundredfold his reputation rather
than damaged it. Every one considered him
a man of great learning, a wizard in the sci-
ence of healing and stood aghast exclaiming
wonderingly, *^ Whence cometh this mighty
healing power ? "

When Dr. Ben Raaba made his advent in
B he was accompanied by a robust, well-
formed and intelligent-looking Levantine Jew
servant, Esau by name. This person minded
his own business, and proved himself to be a
very discreet servant, never divulging his mas-
ter's secrets to any outsider. A few months
after taking up their residence, however, the
place resembled a private menagerie. Scores
of cats, dogs, of high and low degree, pigs
and goats of every size made their appearance.

Dr. Hyder, notwithstanding various opin-
ions of others, was in reality a mysterious and
remarkable man ; despite his thorough British
education and extensive travels in foreign

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE gg

lands, was a believer in the tenets of a Hindoo
5ect called the Saktian Yogis, a believer of
Mahadeva, whose spouse of a dual nature —
spiritual and material principles in one — ^has
three qualities : first, Dominion and Desire ;
second. Rectitude and Wisdom, with power
to control senses ; and third. Violence and
Passion.

The Doctor, moreover, was conversant with
all the Hindoo mysticism and sciences, astrono-
my and magic. He was capable of restraining
respiration, besides being a natural bom hyp-
notist of great power. Modem practical med-
icine and surgery were also among the Doc-
tor's accomplishments, as he had a seven year
course in the National University of Medicine
•of London.

His appearances in public began to dimin-
ish gradually after the various animals were
received there, as he was engrossed in his lab-
oratory, engaged in some experiment in vivi-
section ! Indeed, in the dead of night, weird
and uncanny sounds often emanated from the
inner recesses of his laboratory. Sometimes a
piteous mew, or the piercing caterwaul of
felines, or the whining of dogs. At other

100 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

times, the plaintive beating of a goat, the
squeaking of a goose or the squeal of a pig
broke the silence of the night, while at inter-
vals, now and then, several owls on the roof
gave vent to their weird hootings.

This state of affairs naturally gave an awful
aspect to the place, and kept the inquisitive
villagers at a distance, while the mischievous
youngsters gave the place no trouble from tres-
passing. The only incident which reached
the public was told by a precocious youth who,
with grim determination, strived to unravel
the mysteries of the place, on a cloudy night
had crawled into the garden, climbed a tree,
and hidden himself until later on, when the
full moon appeared above the horizon and cast
its hazy light through the clouds. Then an
uncanny sight was unfurled before his eyes;
there, sitting under the shadow of a weeping
willow tree, the Hindoo Doctor, apparently,
•was in the act of hypnotizing a goat, with
weird gestures and incantations. Unner\^ed
by this strange sight, the intruder, losing his
grip and footing, fell to the ground. The
hooting of an owl and a fiendish howl from
the Doctor gave the youth a further impetus

p

•ffiinl

1

L*

^^^^m^ ^

n

■i^^^^^^^^^^^^^B^S^^^^ ^H

^C

1^^]

Kyder Ben Raaba and the Goat in the Garden

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE lor

to scamper for life, over shrubberies and picket
fence, out of the domain of the Hindoo vam-
pire!

Upon the youth's recital of his experience,
the feeling of mystery and fear increased among
the unsophisticated people of the neighbor-
hood and they kept shy of the place. But the
climax of their apprehension was reached when,
shortly after, the following curious sign adorned
the main gate to the house :

DR. HYDER BEN RAABA :

: VIVISECTIONIST AND RE-INCARNATOR :
X X

What was the meaning of these significant
words on his shingle, " Vivisectionist and Re-
incamator?" What was the mission of this
mysterious man? To what line of surgical
science did this assortment of animals contrib-
ute, whose piteous wails ever and anon ema-
nated from his laboratory ? Up to that time a
chain of wonderful discoveries and marv'^elous
achievements had been attained by profound
savants in surgical and pathological subjects :

102 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

The creation of life germ cells : The trepan-
ning of skulls and the re-arrangement of the
brains : The grafting of skin, nose and ear :
The infusion of new blood : The pre-natal de-
termination of sexes : The separation of mind
from the body, by subjecting persons in a
cataleptic state by hypnotism : And last but
not least, the hibernation for an indefinite
period of living bodies by suspended animation.

These amazing triumphs, each more start-
ling than the other, were the records of past
achievements.

Could there be anything more astounding ?

Even so. Dr. Hyder Ben Raaba, who was
conservant with all the above mentioned ex-
ploits of experimenters, had conceived one of
the boldest and extraordinarily audacious of
surgical feats, the successful demonstration
of which would startle the world and make
men stand aghast with wonder. In fact, by
the display of his professional sign, it was a
foregone conclusion that he had succeeded in
his experiments.

By the aid of science, occultism and won-
derful magic, he had transformed the sexes !

CHAPTER K

A Ray of Hope

IT was the day of departure of Aurora Cun-
ningham for London, England. Margaret
had accompanied her in an automobile to the

city of B to see her off. Their parting

had an unusual sadness as they stood on the
deck of the Dynamoship " Columbia " — a four-
day ocean greyhound. They seemed to be
paralyzed at the barrenness of the future, look-
ing into each other's eyes as if trying to chal-
lenge sincerity to their oath of allegiance.

It was extremely touching indeed, when
they were compelled by the officers of the ship
to take their final leave, and as the Columbia
began to recede gradually from its moorings,
her prow compiissed to the British Isles, Au-
rora's lithe figure could be seen at the stern of
the boat, throwing kisses and waving her
handkerchief toward Margaret, until the dis-
103

104 ^^ ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

tance grew wider and farther and the figure
fainter and at last was lost to view.

Left alone on the shore, Margaret did her
utmost to control her emotions of parting from
her beloved friend. With suppressed feelings
she mounted her automobile reluctantly, and
bade the chaufiFeur proceed to New York City,
from whence, after a short repose, she intend-
ed to take the train for her home in Wyoming.

She had hardly gone a mile or two out of

the city of B when her emotions had

swelled beyond her capacity of control and she
became delirious in her seat in the auto.
Some pedestrians by the way, noticing that
something unusual had happened to the fair
occupant, called the attention of the chaufiFeur
to his charge. He brought the machine to a
standstill and the necessity of enlisting the
services of a doctor was at once apparent.

One of the bystanders suggested that the
nearest available doctor was tho Hindoo sur-
geon. Dr. Hyder Ben Raaba, about a furlong
farther down the road, and thither the patient
was wheeled with all possible haste, and with-
in a few minutes she was in the Doctor's re-
ception room.

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 103

After a cursory examination Ben Raaba ap-
peared somewhat puzzled " She is in a state
of coma,'' he said, rubbing his forehead with
his bony fingers, " but I do not yet see any
physical cause to induce that condition. It
seems to me," he added, " that every func-
tion of the organs are in a perfectly normal
state."

His face brightened at once, however, with
a smile of victory. A happy thought had
come to his fertile mind. He had thought of
the singular methods practised by the diag-
nostician Avicene of Balk — the father of oc-
cult Diagnosis — and the words of the Cash-
merian poet came to his memory, who nearly
ten centuries previously had said: "The
pulse of the loving, beats higher, agitated only
at the name of the beloved."

Taking thereupon her pulse into his hand,
he began to question the chauffeur, where she
had gone, with whom, what was the other
young lady's name, etc. He knew that, al-
though she was in a state of coma, her senses
of hearing and of understanding were per-
forming their regular functions. At the men-
tion of the name of Aurora Cunningham there

io6 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

was a remarkable change in Margaret ; her
pulse began to beat double quick !

After repeating the experiment, and satisfy-
ing himself that the cause was a matter per-
taining the heart, in fact the girl's infatuation
for her departed friend, and that there was
nothing in the Materia Medica as an antidote,
that the only restorative remedy that could be
found was in hypnotic occultism, he leaned
over the prostrate figure before him and whis-
pered some words into her ear.

The correctness of his diagnosis became
plainly evident. The patient, with perfect
tranquility, opened her eyes, and with a com-
placent smile looked into the face of her re-
storer. After a few more magnetic passes and
words of encouragement from the Wizard, she
had completely recovered herself, to the amaze-
ment of the anxious group of persons who had
gathered there, curious to know the fate of the
fair occupant of the automobile. Within half
an hour she again entered her auto and pro-
ceeded on her way to the city.

The new and remarkable personality of
Hyder Ben Raaba, however, left an ineradica-
ble impression upon her mind, so much as at

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 107

times to divert her thoughts from dwelling
upon Aurora and concentrate upon the strange
visage of Hyder Ben Raaba. After a repose
of a few days in New York, having made all
the preparations for the intended journey, she
left the metropolis and arrived in due time at
her paternal home in Wyoming.

Hardly a month had elapsed after her return
when there was another crisis in her life. Her
father was taken suddenly ill and died, and
she was left an heiress to a large fortune con-
sisting principally of lands, mines and cattle.
Being without any relatives to guide her, Mar-
garet was compelled to settle matters for her-
self, and daily she was confronted by hundreds
of annoying details. These consisted of many
entangling afiFairs of her lamented father, who
had left her sole legatee, prospective aspirants
who sought her hand in marriage, her solemn
and binding oath to Aurora, and, strange as it
may seem, the grotesquely hideous face of Ben
Raaba began to flit before her mind's eye, per-
plexing and haunting her incessantly.

One evening when she was thus absorbed
in deep meditation, the postman brought her
a letter. It was mailed from B . Excit-

208 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

edly she tore open the envelope and from it
fell the professional card of Dr. Hyder Ben
Raaba. The same weird and ominous words
were printed under his name : " The Vivisec-
tionist and Re-incamator " ! On the other side
were scribbled a few lines, making inquiry
about the state of her health.

The card, ah ! the strange and significant
words, vivisection and re-incarnation began to
assume a deep meaning. She placed the card
tremblingly upon the table and fell into a pro-
found study. Her quivering frame, the rise
and fall of her heaving breast and the change
of color of her face alternatively from pallor to
a feverish flush, indicated that there was a
revolution going on within her immaculate
bosom.

At last she seemed to come to some deter-
mination; tremblingly she grasped a pen and
wrote a letter to Ben Raaba, the contents of
which never became known to any but herself
and the Hindoo doctor. Within a fortnight
she received an answer which seemed to satis-
fy her.

Within two months she had managed hasti-
ly to dispose of all her personal property and

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE log

real estate without any reserve, and then she
disappeared from her Western home and sur-
roundings and was lost forever to her former
friends.

CHAPTER X

The Tf ansf ormation

IT was near the end of September. The
seaside resorts on Long Island were de-
serted by the gay health-seekers from the ad-
jacent cities, and the inhabitants of the villages
along the South Shore, from Rockaway to
Montauk, had dwindled to their normal num-
ber of rural residents except the city of B

which, on account of its shipping interests,
still retained a lively activity.

The day was dismal and damp, foreboding
a rainy spell. There were scarcely any people
on the streets and at dusk, when the Montauk

express stopped at the station of B , there

were only a few passengers to alight.

One of them was a young woman attired in
black, with a thick veil of similar hue drawn
over her face. She looked furtively up and
down the platform with painful anxiety, and

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE ill

espying an automobile a few rods below the
station, walked toward it hesitatingly, at the
same time pulling from her wrist-bag a crim-
son handkerchief. The chauffeur on the ma-
chine seemed to understand the meaning of
the signal, for at once jumping down he ad-
vanced to meet the stranger.

After several words were exchanged in sub-
dued tones, he escorted the veiled lady to the
vehicle and in a few minutes they were speed-
ing down the road toward the Hindoo doctor's
sanitarium. The woman, of course, was Mar-
garet MacDonald and the chaufiFeur none other
than the Levantine Jew, Esau, the Doctor's
discreet servant. When they arrived at Ben
Raaba's domicile it was almost pitch dark, and
not a soul could be seen in the vicinity. At
the ringing of the door-bell, Ben Raaba him-
self appeared and sedately welcomed Margaret,
conducting her into the reception room.

Shortly after, when Esau had withdrawn,
they were sitting tete-a-tete at a table, perus-
ing some mysterious documents to which at
last, Margaret, taking a pen, subscribed her
signature.

The documents were nothing else than the

ti2 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

legal contract, which Margaret had signed, of-
fering herself a willing subject to undergo a
mental and physical metamorphosis, and ab-
solving Ben Raaba from any responsibility if the
experiment should prove unsuccessful or fatal !

After a fortnight of dietary preparation, Mar-
garet was taken into the Laboratory of the
Wizard and immediately hypnotized by him
into a state of cataleptic coma.

An awful sensation crept over one upon
looking around about this den called the Labor-
atory. Glittering saws and scalpels were
hung in rows on the walls; lances, beakers and
retorts were scattered on the tables and on the
floor, and a hundred and one other apparatus
and bottles could be seen upon the shelves.

A big cat-owl perched on a pedestal in one
comer, and a black tom-cat with intense
green eyes, prowling about the room, gave to
the scene a cabalistic and weird aspect. Here
among these uncanny surroundings Dr. Hyder
Ben Raaba isolated and busied himself with
continuous vigilance for many months in order
to achieve an undertaking that seemed mirac-
ulous and impossible.

Ben Raaba's I<aboratory

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE //j

Through the lapse of so many long and ted-
ious months Dr. Hyder Ben Raaba had come
to the completion of his assiduous labors,-labors
which had almost exhausted his consummate
skill in hypnotism, surgery and magic.

After a final but scrupulously careful exami«
nation of the patient, assuring himself that every
muscle, nerve, gland and artery were in their
proper places, he paused a moment before the
prostrate body. It was a solemn and tragic
moment Signs of intense anxiety were visi-
ble upon his otherwise impertuibable visage,be-
traying the fact that he was in a crucial pre-
dicament.

What, if on awakening the patient, he found
her a maniac irrevocably bereft of reason?
What, if his re-incarnated subject should prove
to be a hideous Frankenstein or a monstrosity
devoid of finer senses ? What, if she should
prove to be a man with effeminate mind and
manners ?

Such and a thousand other similar fears and
misgivings were flashing in that moment
through his mind, but at last, confident of his
ultimate success, and undaunted with appre-
hensions, he assumed a determined countenance

114 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

and commenced to undo the hypnotic spell, in
order to restore his subject to life and energy.

With eyes dilated, eyebrows knit, and arms
stretched — ^holding in one hand a magic wand
— this future Mephisto uttered some mysterious
words in sepulchral intonations, snapped his
fingers three times, and presto 1

The spell was broken !

The full magical efiFect of his audacious un-
dertaking was evident, for scarcely had the
last syllable of those mysterious and incompre-
hensible words left his shriveled lips, when a
sudden tremor shook the frame of Margaret
and, with a subdued groan, indicative more of
a sensation of bliss than of pain, she opened
her eyes.

A triumphant smile pervaded her counte-
nance, as if awakening from an Utopian dream.
Dr. Ben Raaba, meanwhile perceiving the
crowning success of his work, and standing
beside her, began to exclaim with rapturous
joy, " Metempsychosis ! Metempsychosis ! "

The patient at once became conscious that
her bodily transformation was complete, for it
did not take her long to realize it as HE stood
there, a beautiful specimen of manhood 1

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE us

This miraculous transformation brought to
light another remarkable mental discovery.
It was discovered by the Doctor that all the
accomplishments, knowledge and mental at-
tributes possessed by Margaret, prior to her
re-incarnation, had been intensified a hundred-
fold in their entity into those of aggressive,
daring and strenuous masculinity.

Margaret, assuming forthwith a masculine
name, remained a few months under the care
and tutelage of Ben Raaba, in order to acquire
further important knowledge in hypnotism,
diplomacy, etc., that would be of invaluable
service in his future career, and it was not un-
til September, almost one year after the ad-
vent of the patient, that he reluctantly bade
^ood-bye to Hyder Ben Raaba, and was again
lost in the vortex of humanity.

CHAPTER XI

Lord CuntunghAtnf Vicctoj of India

HARDLY had Margaret reached her home
in Wyoming, when Aurora likewise was
welcomed by her people in England. Her
father, whose brilliant career upward from the
ranks of the common people had astonished
the diplomats of the world, meanwhile had
been raised to the highest rank of peerage.

Being a born leader of such inexhaustible
sagacity and acumen, his promotion from one
important position to another was not only in-
evitable but necessary, and hardly a month
had elapsed since Aurora's return to London,
before he was gazetted as Lord Cunningham,
Viceroy to India.

The situation at that time in India was quite a
delicate one, on account of the Thibetan bound-
ary question with Russia. The latter had
raised her periodical spasm of aggression, in

1x6

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE ijf

order to attain certain political ends at home,
and the departure of Lord Cunningham was
therefore hastened.

It was near the end of November when Lord
Cunningham, his wife and beautiful daughter
were regally received in Bombay. Distinguish-
ed looking in his six feet two inches of height,
with a leonine countenance, The Lord at once
captivated the Indian rajahs, princes, and also
commanded the respect of the populace. His
courteous manners, forceful and firm proclama-
tions and actual philanthropic undertakings
coupled with his propaganda of dispensing
equal justice to all, aroused at once the enthusi-
asm, patriotism and loyalty of every class, and
quieted the racial differences and political dis-
quietude among the people.

The Russian government, seeing this solid
phalanx of unity and change of sentiment of
the Indian people, beat a hasty retreat under
the subterfuge of quelling an alleged disturb-
ance on the borders of Manchuria.

In order to give himself an opportunity for
a general introduction. Lord Cunningham de-
cided to hold a reception and dance. It was
planned to follow the style of entertaining then

ij8 an ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

in vogue, a combination of literary and musi-
cal talent to be followed by a reception. Among
the many who had consented to contribute to
the evening's entertainment, and occupying
the place of honor, was the celebrated savant
Abou Shimshek, the Astronomer of Ispahan,
who had just returned from an adventurous
expedition to the Himalayas to investigate
Nature's wonders.

Lord Cunningham being aware of the pres-
ence of the celebrated prodigies, the Dusky
Quartette, who were on their itinerary to Bom-
bay, had sought and engaged their services for
the occasion. An American violin virtuoso,
Spencer Hamilton, who had created a furore
in Simla a week previously at a fashionable
society recital and was acclaimed as an un-
equaled maestro of his instrument, had also
promised to appear during the entertainment
and render a few selections on the violin.

On the night of the Soiree a great multitude
of natives as well as eminent European person-
ages were present, in all the picturesque splen-
dor of the habilaments of their respective coun-
tries. There were Maharajahs, dazzling with
diamonds, accompanied by their retinue blaz-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE tig

ing with silver and gold embroidered costumes,
Ascetic Brahmins and sombre looking Fakirs
from the seats of learning of Hyderabad, mys-
terious emissaries from the sacred city of Del-
hi, learned Sheiks with flowing patriarchal
beards from Arabia and Egypt, Magicians
from all over Persia, besides all fashionable
folk from military posts throughout the East
Indian Empire.

Dashing and handsome officers vied with
each other in their endeavor to do homage to
the beautiful Aurora, who was enthroned next
to her mother. After a prelude on the dulci-
phone, Abou Shimshek, amidst the huzzah
and clamor of the assemblage, with great dig-
nity came forward, and with uplifted arms, in-
voking the spirits of Hafiz and Pirdozy to en-
dow him with eloquence, began the account of
his thrilling adventure as follows :

CHAPTER Xn

Adventures of Aboti Shimshek^ the
Astronomer of Ispahan

**T TP, on the Kinchinginga's lofty summit,
^J where earth and heavens meet, where
myriads of crystalline, icy temples in their im-
maculate and prismatic garbs here and there,
and manywhere abound, temples, in whose
solid glacial niches saints perpetually hold
communion with Mahatma's Son.

"I said, I was upon the Kinchinginga's.
Aye, for no other purpose than on a mission
sublime, to climb nearer to heaven in search
of the Creator's secrets profound and reveal
them to the human race. Day after day, thus,
dauntless and resolute, I scaled craggy preci-
pices. Through mammoth caverns of desolate
solitude I wended my way up to reach the
goal of my ambition, lured there by my faith.
"Night after night, thus, I gazed and

.^^iMll

tei^

iiUp^T V^'^kiflP^M^

1

i' -'^

\^

i

Wl— ^^J^aBW^

■3y

1

1

k.Li At>'\

-JW^^^

-■p^

*-

Abott Shimshek in Ihe Cave

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 121

scanned heaven's canopy, studded with twink-
ling jewels. But alas ! it seemed, farther and
more remote grew the space between me and
the blue heaven, with no mortal kind to cheer
my solitude, except the wails of hungry jack-
als and the wild groans of the Bengal tiger
fierce, with myriads of phantom spirits, dart-
ing here and there, in weird, fantastic forms ;
I could not tell whether they were the crea-
tures of some world unseen, or the ghosts of
Gothama and his saints keeping vigil over the
faithful. But at last, so dire and awful did
grow my solitude that, overcome by fright and
fatigue, I retreated into a glacial cave beneath
a lofty peak.

"I laid my head on a chilled stalagmite, the
frozen floor to my back, and my face and belly
against what I thought to be the dome of my
cavern. But, by the sacred wart that grew on
Gehangire's nose, what reality ! What a won-
derful sight ! A new world, revolving through
space — entirely different from ours as it had
living souls and vegetation in a far more ad-
vanced stage of develoment than ours, — ^was
revealed to my astonished eyes !

" The greatest efforts of men are brought to

J22 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

naught with the elements controlled by Allah's
command, or are so small in scale and scope
as to be beyond compare with His wondrous
works. Through the greatest telescope that
man's ingenuity and skill can produce, astron-
omers cannot agree whether the canals of Mars
are single or double.

" Pshaw ! Away with those numberless
imposters who have deluded mankind with
their consummate lies ! Some even claim to
have traversed the inter-etherial space by fly-
ing machines, whose construction was revealed
to them in a " sealed package " or found in
boxes, buried in tombs and mummies of days
gone by! The marvelous medium through
which I saw this celestial panorama was noth-
ing strange ; the cavern into which I so un-
consciously was led was an observatory by na-
ture made !

" Its dome was a mammoth telescope, com-
posed of lenses of great magnitude, various in
size and shape. Lenses made of purest water,
distilled by the thundering clouds and filtered
through heaven's ether. Lenses congealed by
the zephyrs that gently blow from Mount
Everest's snow-capped brow ; lenses, annealed

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 123

and polished through centuries by the fiery
orb that governs our earth, from its moorings
in wondrous space. Here, to my eye, was a
telescope most complete. It brought that
strange planet so near as to make me inhale
its very atmosphere, touch its soil and waters
with my outstretched arms. And which, with
your kind tolerance, I will briefly relate.

" The first element on this marvelous world,
which my attention did attract, was the won-
derful hues of its firmament. There were no
" inter-luminous rays " of " rosy radiance " nor
" amber isles " floating over " golden seas " of
. sunsets, or similar trash, that our poets here
below have sung for ages gone, over and over
again. But instead, wonderfully colored pan-
els of exquisite designs, the Jwhole changing
as if by a dissolving slide, at every atmospher-
ic vibration, into still more beautiful patterns,
a veritable Kaleidoscope !

"On consulting my astronomical calculations
I found that this strange phenomenon was
caused by the peculiar inclination and ascen-
sion of this planet toward the sun ! As I was
scanning this sublime panorama, with raptur-
ous admiration, my attention was diverted to

J24 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

an expanse of water. Its constantly foaming
and sparkling nature induced me to examine
it more closely and, to my great surprise, upon
analysis I found it to be similar to delicious
cream soda, with cakes of ice floating on it,
and the whole impregnated with phosphates —
on account of the immense guano deposits left
by extinct birds, along its shores !

" But my surprise was still increased when,
turning my eyes toward land, I beheld numer-
ous geysers and fountains, spouting up streams
and sprays of waters of various hues. I tasted
them one by one and, to my delight, I found
some of them to be composed of seltzero-caflfein,
some of bromo-cocain, some others containing
an infusion of Cerebrine. But one of the most
peculiar fountains which I discovered was one
that had a zig-zag motion and luminous
color.

" On partaking of a sip of it, I suddenly ex*
perienced a strange sensation going through
my body, exhilarating and rejuvenating my
whole system, eradicating all the dandruff from
my scalp, purifying my blood and dispelling
at once that " tired feeling.'' I gave to this
fountain the name " Electrolinaris " on account

■ <

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 12s

of the large percentage of " the electric fluid "
it contained !

" The vegetation that grew on this marvel-
ous planet, although analogous to our terrestri-
al trees and herbs — having roots, trunks and
branches — was entirely of different order.
These forms were a combination of vegetable
and animal kingdoms, because of their construc-
tion and sensitiveness. I noticed, for example,
trees whose leaves changed color several times
a day, some others which emitted extraordin-
ary sounds, while still others shrank and ex-
panded instantaneously.

" But their fruits were still more curious.
Of course to satisfy my natural curiosity, I
picked and tasted many of them. They were
nothing but our manufactured confections.
Still how delicious they were! Here was a
tree the folds of whose musical leaves shielded
delicious chocolates, there another tree whose
branches dropped ripe and luscious glace bon-
bons of various flavors, while sugar-coated
violets and jasmines abounded promiscuously
on perfuming bushes.

"During my inspection I came across a
palm-like plant full of innumerable shining

t26 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

objects which, on closer scrutiny, to my amaze-
ment I found to be miniature incandescent
radium lights of great brilliancy.

" As I proceeded with my investigations I
saw another plant whose branches were stud-
ded with brilliant scintillating globules. I
hastened to examine them and they were
neither more nor less than veritable crystals
of diamonds. Now it is well known that the
diamond consists of pure carbon in crystalized
form. This plant had simply the power of
absorbing pure carbon by its roots, and passing
through its wonderfully peculiar fibres exuded
and condensed them on its branches like gum-
drops, where they were hardened by the action
of its equally strange atmosphere. I have on
my person — ^as you will observe — z. few speci-
mens which I picked at random.

" And now in reference to animals. Perhaps
you will expect me to describe to you s^nge
megalotheruses of immense proportions, or gi-
gantic mammalian ^[uadrupeds, mammoth fly-
ing dragons, serpents and birds, but herein I
must disappoint you. The truth is, although
I searched diligently for such paleozoic mon-
sters, I came in contact with none. Surprised

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 127

as I was myself, it explained itself on my dis-
covering an ampitheatre-like enclosure wherein
were stored, in great numbers, the lifeless
skeletons of unimaginable beasts which had
existed on this planet in centuries past. And
as on our earth the large animals are gradual-
ly becoming extinct on account of the advance
of civilization, with the exception of the Tam-
many Tiger, the American Eagle and the
British Lion, I came to the conclusion that on
this new sphere likewise, because of its far
advanced stage of civilization, they were al-
ready extinct.

"I could not, however, suppress my laughter
on seeing in this collection of monstrous wild
beasts, two specimens of two-legged mamma-
lians or human beings. I speedily came to the
conclusion that they were either some of those
blatant fools, who had ventured on journeys
to remote planets in their flying machines, or
some •of our ultra-civilized English and Ameri-
can pioneers, gone on missions of "grab" and
"benevolent assimilation ! "

"Anon, J come to the most interesting stage
of my adventure, that of seeing the most in-
telligent animals of this new planet, which it

t28 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

seemed had full control over it, so that there
remained no doubt in my mind of their being
the human race of this strange world. Conse-
quently, I watched them closely, and verily I
found them to be far more advanced in civili-
zation and bodily construction than we, man-
kind. They were so constructed that they had
all the advantages which we are obliged to
supply ourselves by artificial means and de-
vices. As I describe them, you will, to a cer-
tain degree, form an idea of how they looked.

"They had only one eye on the top of their
heads, a large globular organ, however, having
like the dragon ffy a multiform lens. This
eye was shielded by an umbrella-shaped sub-
stance of a hard bony nature. Thus protected
they could see all round about them at the
same time, or whichever side they wanted,
without inconveniencing themselves by cran-
ing their necks.

" I thought it would have been a great bless-
ing if we mortals here possessed such optics.
Think of the advantage while going about in
a crowded thoroughfare of a great city, to see
where you are stepping, to read the various
newspaper bulletins, to watch the clock on the

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE iMg

spire, to recognize your friends in the surging
throng and besides all these to be able to dodge
adroitly the numerous trolley cars and auto-
mobiles at the same time 1

" In place of the eyes, there were two large
circles, covered by a delicate membrane of
great sensitiveness, which instead of sight was
used for speech, because they did not speak
with their mouths and in audible sounds, but
with these two curious circles they carried on
a conversation in " silent eloquence," instanta-
neously transmitting their thoughts to each
other, a veritable telepathic medium, as it
were!

"Their noses and mouths were likewise
equally strange and entirely different from
ours in construction, although to all appear-
ances they had the same form and occupied
similiar places. For instance, they could ex-
tend their nostrils at pleasure, shut air-tight
or open at will, so that at the mere suspicion
of a bad odor they could instantly elongate
their proboscis to some point at which pure
air and perfume abounded.

" The mouth was so constructed that they
could expand and contract it like a chameleon's,

ISO AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

but about three or four yards, and in such in*
conceivable velocity that its rapidity of action
was beyond calculation. Its usefulness was
manifold, because they not only took nutrition
by it, but it was also a very formidable weapon
of attack and defense.

** They wore absolutely no clothing, conse-
quently were annoyed by no tailor-made suits,
no bloomers, no furbelows, but nature itself
had provided with all that was desirable.
Their skins were covered from the neck to the
shoulder with white swansdown, and from the
shoulders to the waist with a fine silky fur,
resembling in color and texture the best qual-
ity of seal-skins, while from the waist sprout-
ed all around the loveliest crop of hanging
ostrich feathers. There was no difference in
male and female attire. As women nowadays
are speaking of equal rights, and are adopting
masculine tendencies, I believe we are on the
right line of advancement to reach the same
destination.

" Their manner of locomotion was another
surprise to me as I watched them darting deft-
ly here and there. Upon examination of their
lower extremities, I found it to be simply loco-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 331

motion by electricity. Under their feet were
several wheels of natural formation and which-
ever direction they wanted to go, they set the
locomotive current to any degree of celerity.
Think of itl Each person having his own
automatic rapid transit !

" As I became intensely interested in those
strange beings, I felt curious to know and
study their social manners and discover whether
they experienced any emotions, sorrows or
mirth. Consequently I changed my observa-
tions to these particulars. In searching through
the gardens and flowery bowers that abounded
in a certain locality, it was not necessary for
me to wait very long. My eyes rested upon a
comical spectacle, which left no doubt in my
mind that it was a case of amorous depreda-
tion. It was simply, as I judged, an act of
stealing kisses. Oh, the rascal ! Here was a
maiden sweet and fair, overcome perhaps by
fatigue, lying on the velvety grass of cobalt
blue, her head resting on a natural eiderdown-
topped toadstool, and there, a precocious youth,
perched on a branch of a tree above, his elastic
mouth in close contact to that of the maiden,
busily gathering, like the hummingbird, the

13' AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

nectars of osculatory bliss, while his globular
eye kept watch round about for any uncere-
monious or hostile intruder !

** In vain I tried to imitate. Ah ! I still feel
the thrill. In fact, I would not object to have
a mouth so formed, even in this vain world of
ours. I believe there are flowers here also,
ever in bloom, like the fairy maiden above.

"In reference to the pleasures and enjoy-
ments of these marvelous beings, I was some-
what nonplussed to find that there were no
theatres or places of amusement The fact
was that in every respect they were very, very
practical.

" When they wanted to laugh, they simply
went to certain valleys in their locality where,
on inhaling its atmosphere, they became al-
most hysterical in their ecstasy of joy, giggling,
ha-haing and continuing' in such hilarious
laughter without stop until they were thor-
oughly satisfied.

** I became curious to know the nature of
this atmospheric element which produced
such merriment, and on careful analysis found
the air to be strongly impregnated with pure
nitrous oxide or " laughing -gas," an inferior

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 133

quality of which was formerly used by our
dentists.

" Likewise, when they felt a desire to cry,
they went to another neighborhood, where
certain bushes abounded, bearing on their
drooping branches a profusion of "Job's
Tears," the sight of which so afiEected the vis-
itors that they were at once transformed into
veritable Niobes — all tears. They wept, sighed
and wailed until their longing had subsided.

" Their solution of the habitation problem
was, I think, that which wise men on this earth
have been trying to solve from the beginning
of creation. This Utopian planet contained
no dwellings built by mankind, consequently
there were no taxes, no new land theories, no
internal revenue or protection embargoes.
The planet itself produced everything without
the aid of its people and they enjoyed the fruit
of the soil equally,

" Whenever these creatures desired to rest,
they retired to certain localities, where mil-
lions of velvety couches grew like toadstools,
on which they reclined, while the vegetation
around, with its narcotic perfumes, lulled them
quietly to sleep. ♦

IS4 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

" The duration of their day, which was a
continual twilight of variegated designs, was
according to my chronometer fifty hours long,
and they divided it into two equal parts, twen-
ty-five hours of which they slept in balmy
dreamlands, while the other twenty-five they
indulged in all kinds of recreations and no
work at all ! Ah ! as the working hours of
our laboring classes are decreasing day by day
by the glorious medium of Unionism, I am
happy to predict that we are on the right path
of some day reaching that millenium of doing
nothing, so that we shall at last have twelve
hours of sleep, and twelve hours of recreation !

" When I saw all these wonderful things, I
confess, I forgot my mission sublime, and de-
termined then and there to transport myself to
that celestial sphere. Consequently I ap-
proached one of them and appealed for admis-
sion to that land of rest and perpetual bliss.
Scarcely had I spoken, when I felt the atmos-
phere about me become suffocating ; there was
thunder and lightning and a sepulchral voice
was heard to say :

" No earthly domination here."

This dread injunction rendered me insensi-

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 133

ble and when consciousness returned I found
myself at the foot of the Kinchinginga's, amidst
the ruins of that wonderful telescope by nature
made ! "

CHAPTER Xra

Spencer Hanulton

THUNDEROUS applause of appreciation
greeted Abou Shimshek, at the conclu-
sion of his interesting recital, and bowing
right and left his acknowledgements, with
beaming countenance he retired to his seat
An intermezzo of mellifluent music in the in-
terim was followed by the celebrated " Dusky
Quartette." This aggregation consisted of
the following members: Madam Celeste D'oum-
balooloo, a south African soprano of heav-
enly sweetness, and a beauty of " hippopota-
mic gracefulness ; " Miss Guza Mulomba, the
Kaffir prodigy, with a contralto voice of trem-
ulous colorature ; Signor Bombasto Reales, of
Kabaloogan, a Philippino tenor of high pitch
and clearness, and the basso, Signor Dido
Abazuza, a Maori celebrity of thunderous
profundity.

X36

P

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE jj?

Indeed, under the felicitous protection of
British and American sovereignty, these colo-
nies had made such rapid advancement toward
civilization, that they had produced an abun-
dance of men and women of extraordinary
talent and capacity in art and music, so as to
eclipse their confreres of Hungarian and Polish
origin, in days gone by.

The portfolio of their operatic creations was
a revelation. Especially did an operatta,
called " Phantasie Senegambienne " arouse the
enthusiasm of the audience to such a high
pitch of spirituelle tension that at the conclu-
sion — regardless of the (color line) — there was a
simultaneous rush of both sexes to where the
singers stood. A scene of indescribable oscu-
latory battle raged, the sound of the contact of
those luscious thick lips of the Dusky Quar-
tette echoing and reverberating to the utmost
recesses of the spacious hall. It took quite a
long time before this charming labial fusillade
of musical appreciation subsided.

After another soothing interlude, giving the
assemblage a chance to recover their compos-
ure, a clamorous applause brought forth the
American violinist, to make his first debut in

i38 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

Bombay. As he stepped forward, Spencer
Hamilton instantly made a deep impression
upon the audience. His masterful technique
and wonderful skill of execution, when he
rendered a new composition of his own, called
" The Niagara," aroused anew the enthusiasm
of the throng and, under pressure of vociferous
acclamation, he was obliged to render another
selection.

With the appearance of this splendid young
specimen of manhood upon the platform there
was created in the bosom of Aurora a strange
psychological condition. Although surround-
ed with many gallant oflficers and youths of
noble lineage, she was perceptibly afiEected by
the sight of this handsome young American
musician. At a glance at the violinist there
sprang in her heart afresh the memories of her
college days in America.

A sudden sense of sadness swept over her,
and her infatuation for her chum Margaret,
and the recollection of their solemn vows,
flashed vividly through her perplexed brain,
evoking several deep sighs from the depths of
her constant heart. Notwithstanding the
cringing advances of many oflScers of position

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE ijg

and wealth, as well as scions of nobles, she had
fallen desperately in love with the stranger at
first sight He seemed to her as an ideal, her
afiinity, but alas ! she remembered her vow 1
Aurora was in a very disturbed frame of mind
when Spencer Hamilton came forward for the
encore,

Spencer Hamilton, the violin virtuoso had,
in the meantime, another mission to perform
in connection with his appearance as a musical
artist He was no other than Margaret Mac-
Donald herself, metamorphosed by Hyder Ben
Raaba into the virile, manly fellow who had
assumed the name of Spencer Hamilton and,
as a violinist, had come to lay siege to the
heart of Aurora.

With his furtive glances now and then he
was reading the soul of Aurora, now full of
perplexing emotions. He could hardly control
his own emotions and began to render as an
encore a tune which he expected would create
a tumult in the breast of Aurora Cunningham.

Putting forth all his energy so as to make
it his best effort in execution, he played to
one alone.

At first Aurora thought that the tune had

J40 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

some vague resemblance to a musical produc*
tion which she had heard before, but could not
tell when and where. As it proceeded it grad-
ually dawned upon her that, somehow there
was a connection between the thought of Mar-
garet and the music. She became more and
more agitated and was quite certain now that
this soul-stirring melody was the creation of
her dear, beloved friend and confidant, Margar-
et MacDonald. Then she realized that the
words were her own.

" Oh, the oath ! " she gasped, her brain in a
delirium of intoxication. Realizing fully that
the melody was nothing else than the very
composition of Margaret, and that she had
written the words at the Diana Seminary on
the very eventful night of the moonlight re-
ception, she was unable to conceive how it had
become a public property. Was Margaret after
all a capricious traitor, a recalcitrant, who had
forsaken her solemn vow and desecrated their
covenant?

These and othqr thoughts drove Aurora to
the verge of collapse, and as Spencer Hamilton
concluded the piece with a finale of deep
pathos that reached the pinnacle of tragic in*

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 141

tensity, there was commotion around where
Aurora was enthroned, for she had lost con-
sciousness.

Thinking that the intense interest and ex-
citement of the occasion had caused her faint-
ness, she was gently removed to her apartment
and the program of the evening's festivities
was completed with a brilliant reception and
dance. Hamilton himself, however, was so
afiEected that he left the reception at once and
returned to his hotel and there tried to regain
strength for the ordeal that he was planning to
carry out next day.

The following morning, at the proper time
for calling in India, he left his hostelry and
directed his steps toward the Viceregal palace
on the pretense of making inquiry concerning
the health of Aurora, but ostensibly to reveal
the mysterious metempsychosis of himself and
to reassert his undying love for her.

Having arrived at the gate he learned that
Aurora had been restored to her normal state
of health and spirits. He consequently sent
in his card and a few minutes later was sum-
moned to the drawing-room of the palace
where, after a second's waiting, Aurora Cun-

142 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

ningham appeared on the threshold, somewhat
flushed and agitated.

Hamilton, on seeing Aurora, came forward
and, extending his hand, inquired most anx-
iously for her health, and intimated that it
would give him extreme pleasure to explain
certain circumstances which would lead to the
gratification of her own unspoken desires.

" I know," he said, " that the encore at last
night's musicale affected you very powerfully.
I could intuitively read from your perturbed
countenance that you had become aware of the
authorship of the same. Aurora, Aurora, I am
Margaret MacDonald ! I am your confidant
at the Diana Seminary, whom you loved, and
am now metamorphosed into a man by the
miraculous powers of the vivisectionist and re-
incarnator — Hyder Ben Raaba. I have come
to claim you as my own. Aurora, I love you ! "

Aurora, bewildered at this remarkable and
dramatic declaration and revelation, too spell-
bound to speak even a word, uttered a piercing
shriek and fell into the open arms of Spencer
Hamilton. At the sound of this cry of dis-
tress, which echoed throughout the palace,
footsteps were heard approaching from every

• pi

p

s

I

n

n
o

9
►

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE 14s

direction. Soldiers, foot-guards, servants, and
the Viceroy Cunningham himself with his
guests, rushed into the drawing-room and be-
held this highly surprising tableau of romantic
love.

Explanations of very delicate and discreet
nature were promptly given to the Viceroy by
the two lovers, and consent to their union was
presently forthcoming.

i^ ^ in an

postscript

After a triumphal bridal tour through
England and America, Aurora and Spencer
Hamilton settled in the Central African Com-
monwealth, and by the strenuous qualities in-
herent in both they had become popular and
prominent in civic affairs. Fifteen years later,
in 1976, through sheer merit of a public life
of usefulness and rectitude, Hamilton was
gazetted as Viceroy to the African Common-
wealth.

The year 1976 was indeed an epoch-making
period. It was the two hundredth anniversary of
the Declaration of Independence, and at the
same time the semi-centennial of the happy

i44 AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE

Anglo-American Alliance. The double jubi-
lee of these two nations, comprising neariy
one-half of the worid's population, was cele-
brated wherever the English tongue was spok-
en, with commensurate grandeur, enthusiasm
and eclat, such as absolutely to eclipse all the
Durbars, Volkfests and celebrations in the his-
tory of the world.

And none the less, the composite but flour-
ishing African Commonwealth, under the wise
regime of Spencer Hamilton, was ablaze with
prosperous pride in unison with England and
America, for this grand and felicitous dual
occasion.

[THE end]

or THE *

UNIVERSITY

RETURN TO the circulation desk of any
University of California Library
or to the

NORTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
BIdg. 400, Richmond Field Station
University of California
Richmond, CA 94804-4698

ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS
2-month loans may be renewed by calling

(415) 642-6753
1-year loans may be recharged by bringing books

to NRLF
Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days

prior to due date

DUE AS STAMPED BELOW

OCT 2ft 1991

YB 32344

\